Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we are working with communities. In fact, in March of this year, there was a group that met to review our progress on our core service plan in the mental health and addictions area. New direction has been given for the next five years that we drafted. Hopefully by mid-summer, we can look at how we would proceed from here. We are working with Health and Social Services authorities, NGOs, aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to come up with a new direction in this area. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, as we would work with the authorities, if they were requesting areas of forced growth, if they had patients that needed the service, they would begin through their budget planning exercise along with the Department of Health and Social Services. Right now, there is a program laid out. I don’t have that with me at this point, but we will provide that to Members as to where we have communities slated on the business plan as we proceed or the Department of Health and Social Services proceeds. I will have that information provided to the Members. Thank you...
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this project has been revised, as well. The total project dollars is $571,000. Some money has been spent on it. The goal is to have this heliport constructed and completed by the end of August 2007. For the rest of the detail, we'll have to provide that as well.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 12, Public Health Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill replaces the Public Health Act and the Disease Registries Act. It provides a comprehensive framework for the protection and promotion of public health in the Northwest Territories. Consequential amendments are made to the Education Act, the Medical Profession Act and the Mental Health Act. The Public Health Act and the Disease Registries Act are repealed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the issue of water management in the NWT is one that has been raised a number of times. The departments of Health and Social Services, Municipal and Community Affairs and Public Works have worked in this area to come up with either the technical side of this, as well as the inspection side and the training side. This money is requested to effectively carry out responsibilities and meet the demands and it’s requesting two new person years as well as company O and M that is required. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are quite a number of programs that we are involved with right from when an individual comes forward requesting support in this area of alcohol and drug addictions counselling through our framework and the revisions working with NGOs, this government and Members of this Assembly. There are a number of areas we have tried to focus on, and that is improving access in communities through community wellness workers as well as mental health and addiction workers and working with those that would come through. As well, in a number of communities -- and I...
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, right now there is a void there in legislation. That is why it is in a number of areas where different groups are offering the service. So we will create the legislation and then occupy the field. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, maybe the Minister can provide that at a later date. But the process here is for some work that has been identified so they can put into new initiatives. So there are some new dollars going into that for the 60th parallel; $75,000. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Bill 9, Write-off of Debts Act, 2007-2008, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the write-off of debts owed to the government and public agencies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this is jointly funded between the federal government, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and ourselves. That is our portion of it, $305,000; 25 percent is our portion. Thank you.