David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to bring up the topic that Members of this House will hear me speak a great deal about over the next few weeks. That topic, Mr. Speaker, is diamonds, and today specifically how they relate to our secondary industry here in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, in 1997, as a city councillor, I was honoured to be a member of the City of Yellowknife’s Diamond Task Force on the development of a secondary industry here in the Northwest Territories. That committee, with the help of the GNWT, made it possible that we could move forward with a cut and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, support the motion that’s before us today. I can’t speak about the drug situation and the need for addiction treatment in Inuvik, but certainly I am supportive of that happening and I know the people of Inuvik would be in support of that happening. I am more in touch with what is happening here in Yellowknife, being a Yellowknife Member.

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to mention the fact that -- and Mr. Yakeleya referred to it as well -- when you start adding up what it costs to send people south, what it’s costing the Government of the Northwest...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the treatment centre in Yellowknife closed in 1999. It has been an issue since the closure of that treatment centre, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister welcomes a debate, but this was brought up two, three and four years ago, and still the government hasn’t addressed the need for a treatment centre. If there is a will on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, to look at a treatment centre for Yellowknife, I am wondering if the Minister will be responsive and will see to that happening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how come the Northwest Territories does not have a withdrawal management unit currently in place and, Mr. Speaker, if I could, what specifically, if a person is addicted to crack cocaine, are their alternatives in seeking treatment in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Drugs are reaching the North from the highway system and the dealers are attracted by the high prices they can sell crack cocaine for in the North. The going rate is $120 per gram. That’s $40 to $50 more a gram than it sells for down south. Mr. Speaker, apparently we have become a Disneyland for drug dealers. Our drug use is going through the roof, but we have very little to offer those who are addicted and those who need help. We have to be able to help addicts when they need help and we need to do it safely, humanely and effectively. We need a medical detox...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to thank my colleagues for their support of this motion. I know the Finance Minister yesterday did make reference to us, and I didn’t want him to take it personally that we were questioning how this money was spent or why it was spent. We understand the government has a role to play and that’s to run the government. They’re going to need to spend money, Mr. Speaker, but we’d just like to know about it. We’d like to know how it’s happening and I think that’s the crux of this motion. I thank my colleagues for their support here today on ensuring that we do...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight has adopted as its vision "a strong, effective consensus government that has the confidence of the people of the NWT;"

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories strategic plan identifies enhancing the fiscal responsibility, effectiveness and credibility of governments through openness and transparency as a core value;

AND WHEREAS the Financial Administration Act requires that all Members of the Legislative Assembly be given 14 days' notice in advance of the Financial Management Board recommending...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to recognize one of the Pages from my constituency, Ms. Tessa Moss. Also, I would like to thank all the Pages for their hard work here over the last few weeks.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, when he talks of having a look at the facilities that are currently in place, what is his intention on getting a withdrawal management unit? To me, that only makes sense, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to ask the Minister, when is the withdrawal management unit going to be set up here so that addicts have somewhere to turn? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Michael Miltenberger. I go back to my Member's statement when I spoke of coroner's jury recommendations on the fact that the Northwest Territories and the city of Yellowknife needs a medical detox facility. I don’t know if the government and the Minister do not pay heed to coroner's juries or Regular Members, and I know it was an issue in the 14th Assembly and I know it’s an issue in the 15th Assembly, Mr. Speaker. I am wondering what it is going to take for the...