Regular MLAs voted unanimously in support of a motion Thursday to ask the territorial government launch a critical incident investigation into the deaths of three young people.

Great Slave MLA Kate Reid emotionally told the assembly of the three - Avery Burke, Wesley Marcellais and Hillary Norwegian - who she said were delayed treatment for a treatable illness which contributed to their deaths.

It's three examples of substandard health care for Indigenous people, she added, and called on the Department of Health and Social Services to appoint an investigator to look into the cause of their deaths.

also asks the Minister of Health and Social Services to table any recommendations that an investigator makes and provide a plan to advance them as well as for the GNWT to respond within 120 days.

"I have been thinking of Avery Burke for two months," said Reid. "I have been thinking of my nieces and nephews when they were five or six years old, how fun and silly kids are at that age, how desperately heartbreaking it is to lose someone so young. I have been thinking about this motion for weeks."

The more she's heard form colleagues about the lack of basic health services in small communities, the more certain she is that this motion is the right thing to do, she told the House.

"I am so deeply saddened to hear of the challenges that the communities of Nahendeh face," Reid said. "Since Avery passed, we have seen Wesley Marcellais and Hillary Norwegian pass away, causing great pain and loss to their families as well."

Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya seconded the motion. 

"Workers who work at the health cabins in these small communities need better training," she said.

Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler extended her condolences to those affected and told the House that there are three investigations currently underway through quality assurance framework, which the department uses to investigate patient incidents. 

"I understand that these are not critical incident investigations, however a critical incident investigation can happen at the same time," said Semmler. "And I will ensure that this happens."

Cabinet abstained from the vote as the motion was a recommendation to government. 

Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo and Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins were not present for the vote.