Glen Abernethy

We funded FOXY and SMASH in a couple of different ways. We've given them money in previous fiscal years. I think it was in 2016 -- 2015-16 we gave $50,000 and I think last fiscal year we gave them $90,000; that was for some specific things they were doing in the organization. Their engagement in the validation exercise, we provided them with $25,000 so that they could reach out and we're looking at providing them $25,000 so they can reach out again this year. So there are multiple ways that money can flow to FOXY, but this $25,000 was to help engage in the validation exercise.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this revenue summary does not include the Canada Health Transfer. That Canada Health Transfer money goes into general revenues of the Government of the Northwest Territories, of which we receive over $440 million to provide health services. It also does not include new money that may be coming from the federal government based on these agreements, because we have not actually signed agreements on those.

What you will see, I think towards the back of the document, at 185, is a list of work performed on behalf of others. That is where those numbers will show up...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been asked a number of these questions similar to this over the last couple of days, but I will try to provide a fulsome answer for the Member. The department is taking a holistic approach, the development of a Youth Mental Health Action Plan to address the challenges that we are facing here in the Northwest Territories, but at no time have we stopped providing services to youth.

Community counselling is available to youth throughout the Northwest Territories. If it isn't located in your community, we have access to it through other means. The...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With me on my left is Jeannie Mathison, director of finance, on my right Debbie DeLancey, deputy minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think in the short term, we are not going to have any options but to consider them as two separate entities. I think in the long term, it would be great if we could find a way to co-locate them. At the end of the day, we need both services. If we cannot find a way to roll them into a single building with separate entrances because, once again, they are different programs, we have to absolutely, without question, be open to alternate locations.

Obviously, one of the reasons we are looking at co-locating is to get some economies of scale, and help us reduce and control...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, February 17, 2017, I will move that Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Health and Social Services Professions Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this government made a commitment in its mandate to enhance access to culturally-appropriate programs and services.

The last government convened a Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness to travel across the Northwest Territories and come back with recommendations that would have a real impact in dealing with addictions. The top priority identified by the forum was more on-the-land healing programs. This is the wisdom of our communities.

This wisdom is supported by research that confirms that a relationship with nature has positive benefits for physical and mental...

What does not change and what cannot change is the federal government made a decision to reduce the CHT by 3 per cent gross, so it was only going to be 3 per cent or GDP, whichever is greater. GDP is tended to not be too high over 3 per cent, but that change was going to happen no matter what.

The provinces and territories attempted to get the federal government to see reason that 5.2 was a sustainable number as opposed to a growth number. There was a disagreement. They took the 3.5 per cent off the table completely. It was gone in December, but they did approach the territories and indicate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member's question is dripping with cynicism. Bottom line is we know that we have significant needs in long-term care, 258 beds by 2026, and that's also factoring in doing more around aging in place, which is something clearly the Members want to see, as does Cabinet.

We know we have a capital need. That capital need has been included in the 20-year plan. That 20-year plan identifies capital projects but also some of the pressures that that will put on O and M which is utilized during our budget planning sessions when we're trying to figure out what we have money for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Essentially, yes. I don't think that is the exact terminology that we are using, but we are looking at a holistic approach, recognizing the impacts and the reasons an individual might be struggling with addictions or mental health issues and building upon those. So, essentially yes, but we have been using different terminology.