Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Mr. Bouchard, do you have any witnesses you’d like to bring into the House?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. With this, it concludes our general comments. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’d like to thank the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Yakeleya. I’d like to thank the hospitality of the people of the Sahtu for sharing their time, their stories, their struggle and thoughts on Bill 24.

Furthermore, I wish to thank the Sahtu community leaders, band councils, chiefs and elders for your wisdom and guidance.

Bill 24 is simplistic in design, yet opens up the bigger issue of social responsibility when it comes to alcohol and its devastating effects. We heard from the sponsor of the bill that the Sahtu is unique, but does the Sahtu not suffer from the same issues as...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, thank you to the Minister. Finally, the Minister is quoted in the Yellowknifer on October 14, 2013, which I’ll table later today, that is directly related to the topic that we’re talking about here today. I’m going to quote here: “If we’re able to hold 10 seniors back for 10 years, that’s $1 million a year.” Can the Minister explain this quote to the House?

I’m encouraged and looking forward to the strategy and the budget here coming up for seniors. For the record, I just want to let you know, my personal experience with home care workers has been excellent, professional and totally respectful.

Seniors’ safety is a paramount factor for life longevity. What is the Minister planning to do to address the growing safety needs of our seniors?

All I ask the Department of Health and Social Services and its Minister is to select one proven pathway for addiction treatment, stop shooting from the hip, put the right amount of dollars to address the needs of all Northerners, not just a select few, and stop changing your minds every couple years. That’s it. Simple. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. This concludes it. I believe everyone had a chance to speak in general comments. I will allow the sponsor of the bill to comment back on the general comments. Mr. Yakeleya.

Okay, committee. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a document in relation to my oral questions today. It’s regarding Keep Seniors At Home Longer: Minister, an October 14, 2013, Yellowknifer article. Thank you.

Again, I appreciate the Minister’s response on that. Seniors often deal with a rotating cast of nurses and personal care workers each with their own different style of delivering care. In fact, patients can encounter what is called a kaleidoscope of different messages that increase the risk of communication breakdown.

Can the Minister indicate what is his department doing to improve and address this kaleidoscope of different messages our seniors receive?