Jane Groenewegen

So we’ve had this idea shared with us by the senior officials in the Minister’s department. The Minister has shared this mobile treatment idea with us here in the House today. It’s not a cheap solution. It’s going to take money. It’s going to take a lot of money to see this laid out and rolled out in an effective way.

Does the department have the financial resources to back up this idea of mobile treatment and how soon could we see it started? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Is committee agreed?

I think it’s a good idea. I think if we could harness the efforts of the local people that are involved with people who are dealing with addictions, such as the RCMP, the local nurse, interagency groups in communities like Hay River, if we could involve those people in finding solutions and addressing the problem, not on a one-time basis where a team comes in, but where there could be continuing follow-up and continuing interaction with the community, so that they could monitor and people would have a place to reach out to if people needed counselling or needed an anchor or a sponsor or...

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. I will now turn to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, the committee that considered the bill, for opening comments. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, we are having a theme day on addictions. Addictions is one of the most challenging and perplexing issues that faces the North. Substance abuse permeates every health indicator that we claim. Addiction shows itself in our institutions of education, our corrections, in court facilities, our health facilities and in just about every other social indicator that we could possibly list.

Addictions are robbing many of our residents of their potential, their dignity, their valued relationships, and trapping them in the throes of poverty, low self-esteem, and often...

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Next I have Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Ms. Bisaro.