Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, will be supporting this motion, but I would just like to say a few things. I know from the standpoint in the smaller communities, this is going to be very difficult as the cost of living in the smaller communities is quite extreme. To operate a facility like this is in the neighbourhood of $6,000 to $10,000. With anywhere from five to 10 children attending these, it’s just not feasible. But if it is possible, and I think that is what this study will indicate, I am in support of it. I think that my constituents will benefit from it and also many of the residents...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my right, I have Ms. Kelly McLaughlin, director of the legislation division; and Ms. Colette Langlois, Acting Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On behalf of the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly, I am pleased to present Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. This bill amends the act to modify the allowance and expense entitlements of Members of the Legislative Assembly. The main changes are:

a new option for out of town Members to move their families to Yellowknife and still receive a capital accommodation allowance if they keep their home in their constituency;

it will no longer be assumed that Ministers live in Yellowknife;

clarifying the travel benefit that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just from what the Minister has said, it sounds like funding is an issue here. If this is a focus of the department, will the Minister agree to help the Gwich’in to take care of the maintenance of the building? Thank you.

Thank you. I believe this facility is ideal, as there are no distractions. I’d like to ask the Minister, can we expect to see programs offered this winter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Lucyanne and Brittany Kendo, originally from Tsiigehtchic.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, would like to thank the Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya, in bringing this private member’s bill forward. I spoke to a lot of residents in the Sahtu from a variety of the communities there. They, too, have told me about the increase in consumption, the increase in the cases with social services and also the policing. Through our committee business, we have seen an increase of over $2 million in the Sahtu region. That’s a clear indicator that there’s a lot more happening in that region. Some say it might be just because of development, but nonetheless, there’s...

Thank you. I realize it takes time to develop the proper policies to operate this facility. I’d like to ask the Minister again, will we see programs offered at the Gwich’in Wellness Camp within the next year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a follow-up from my statement. The Minister of Health and Social Services mentioned that there will be a lot of on-the-land programming. Has the Minister been working with the Gwich’in to offer programs at the Gwich’in Wellness Centre? Thank you.