Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The first thing I have on my list here is the Healthy Families Program. I wanted to say that I appreciate its expansion. Modest to what is required, but this is such a good program that every community we get it in is a major gain. I know it’s also expensive and the Standing Committee on Social Programs knew it was expensive when we made the recommendation to get this in every community. We also think it’s the very best investment we can make.

Could I just ask the Minister first of all, the $500,000 that’s provided for expansion, I believe that would be for a team in...

Thank you, Minister. Next on my list I have Ms. Bisaro.

I appreciate that and I look forward to that commitment. I’d like now to consider the recent instances of outpatients who have gone missing, resulting in the major searches of the community that we have all sadly heard so much about. I realize the judgments for release are difficult and complicated and there can be no certainty in every case, but since we’ve seen two cases in less than five months of massive community searches -- one still underway -- has there been an examination of the wisdom of the practices for release currently being used? Mahsi.

Ms. Meade.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Minister Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is Canadian Mental Health Week and I’d like to offer a few comments on the state of mental health care and wellness.

One of the keys to good mental health is a balanced outlook, so first let’s dwell on the positive. Community commitment and caring are the common threads. We have a long history of the NWT Helpline, where compassionate people give their time and attention to help people get through the hard times. We have the recent partnership of BHP and the Union of Northern Workers putting up $10,000 each for the staging of support groups. The Women in Progress...

Thank you, Minister Lee. Next on my list is Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Minister. Let me repeat this, then. We are on page 8-25, Health and Social Services, activity summary, supplementary health programs, operations expenditure summary, $26.218 million. Does committee agree?

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Minister Lee.