David Krutko

Minister of Health, Ms. Lee.

Okay. If it’s agreeable to committee, we’ll stand down the Legislative Assembly and move on to the Financial Management Board Secretariat. Is that okay until the Speaker is prepared to come before the House?

Mr. Chairman, just restating that. Basically, $1.3 million has been expended for 2008–2009, which is this fiscal year. Next fiscal year, 2009–2010, we’re expending $6 million. Then future years, 2010–2011, will come in at $5.7 million. Is that the schedule we’re now on?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Aumond mentioned that they were approved for $500,000 in the previous budget. Could you tell me exactly what the $500,000 was spent on, and has it been expended?

The Minister of Finance.

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services in regard to my statement and the motion I passed back in the 14th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the “whereases” refer correctly to the services that are provided in our communities — or in this case, the lack of services. If anything, the service has declined to a point where there are no services in the community of Tsiigehtchic and no programs such as mental health positions in Fort McPherson and also in regard to the medevac emergency service to get people out of our communities to the regional hospital or elsewhere...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to read into the record a motion that passed back in the 14th Assembly, which I moved, seconded by Mr. Leon Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi.

“WHEREAS the stated mission of the Department of Health and Social Services ‘is to promote, protect and provide for health and well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories;’

AND WHEREAS residents in small communities do not have access to the same level of health and social services programs as residents in large communities;

AND WHEREAS services vary between health authorities meaning that some residents are being...

Mr. Speaker, the committee would like to report progress. I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Mr. Speaker, I also have another written question directed to the Minister of Transportation. The Inuvik region spends a considerable amount of money to upgrade and maintain transportation in the region.

Please provide a breakdown of the operating costs for the Louis Cardinal ferry at the Mackenzie River and the Abraham Francis ferry at the Peel River.

What is the total season’s cost for gravel required at each ferry crossing?

What is the cost of operating the camp for employees at the Louis Cardinal ferry?

Please provide the cost for additional labour hired to construct ice road crossings on the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know how to put this, but services in the Mackenzie Delta communities have declined to the point where it’s actually affecting people’s health. People have been medevacked, people have passed on because of not having a secure health system in the Inuvik region. I think it’s imperative that we talk to those families and individuals that have been affected by the lack of services and the implication that has had on the Inuvik region. They run a $5 million deficit, yet no programs and services are being delivered in the communities.

So again I’d like to ask how this...