Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. We spent a lot of time in this Chamber talking about the devolution of powers and authorities to the territorial government and I remember that it wasn’t so many years ago that the Department of Health was devolved from the federal government to the territorial government. Over the years, many other departments and many other responsibilities have come from the federal government to the territorial government.

Mr. Speaker, recently, I had occasion to find out that the deficit from the...

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. I just noticed that I didn't reset the clock at the beginning of Mr. Menicoche's general comments, so you're getting a bonus today. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. At this time, I will ask the committee if they have any general comments on the Department of Finance estimates. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In considering that, the Minister may also wish to take into account that these types of programs are not available in smaller centres and would probably require a mobile awareness program, so it would require some financial resources. With the upcoming prospect of these new regulations being put in place, I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider looking for and identifying funds which could finance this. It is easier to send people for such an awareness program if it is available in their community, but obviously it is probably only available in a few...

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Does the committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in June of 2003, the last Assembly approved amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act and put some teeth into the existing legislation. The changes allowed for tougher sanctions aimed at getting impaired drivers off the road, and encouraging drivers with alcohol dependency issues to get help. The amendments allowed the registrar of Motor Vehicles to require individuals convicted of impaired driving offences to participate in drug awareness education programs before their licence would be reinstated. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of...