Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much. I notice that some of the programming in the other regions was adult orientated. Can and will youth proposals be accepted as well? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement when I spoke about on-the-land programming and some of the wonderful projects that are happening in the regions and communities this year.

I want to speak specifically about the Deh Cho proposals. I know that the Minister wasn’t able to qualify a successful proposal in his announcement yesterday. So, are there proposals out there and what type are they? Thank you.

I’m glad that the department recognizes it. Most particularly in Fort Liard it was during the spring and summer months when there’s a family crisis or life upsets, usually that’s when the mental health workers are not available. We’ve got the opportunity where there’s a contractor out of Fort Nelson that comes up, but when it comes to something like that, consistency is key. It would be nice to have somebody that’s there. So I wonder if this new Mental Health Strategy will include a retention component and a component that addresses coverage when there’s nobody available in the communities...

I just wanted to thank Minister McLeod and the coaches, mission staff and the sports volunteers who make the athletes’ experience at the Canada Games a success, and good luck to Team NWT for the next 10 days as they proudly represent us. Mahsi cho.

Thank you very much. Yes, I was leaning towards more the Human Resource Strategy. I know that the Minister has done a lot on it, but I think particular attention should be paid to the retention strategy. I don’t know if they’re adding some extra benefits or more breaks for these workers in the smaller communities. Maybe the Minister can speak to those aspects of it. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I spoke in this House before about mental health workers in my region and the inability to keep them. I just want to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about what kind of retention strategy do we have for our mental health and social workers in our regions and communities.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Today I am pleased to provide Members with an update on my recent trip with Minister McLeod to the Canada Winter Games and the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Sport meeting in Prince George, British Columbia.

It was great to see Team NWT athletes march into the opening ceremonies. They were so proud and excited to be representing their communities and the Northwest Territories at this important national sporting event. I also want to acknowledge my constituents Ms. Val Gendron, mission staff, and her daughter Madison Pilling, who are both there with the...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just an opportunity to do some general comments myself. I think I spoke earlier in the House, too, about the mental health workers and a retention strategy for keeping them in our very small communities. I believe it’s important because it has an impact on the residents. I spoke most particularly about Fort Liard, especially when there are times of distress or their lives have been upset. In the past, our mental health workers haven’t been there. I do have to say, like any other situation, staff have been going to Fort Liard to assist them at the moment, but...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In using the housing needs assessment, if in this case of the assessment being done in 2013-2014, I wonder if I can ask the Minister if he can check with his officials if they’re aware of this private housing provider about his units, 12 to 14 units being shut down and how that would affect the current needs assessment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That’s certainly something that we can move towards. I was talking to my colleague Mr. Yakeleya, and the Housing Needs Survey of 2014 indicates the Nahendeh region, of course, is number one again in core needs. We had addressed that the last survey but it’s creeping back up again, and some of the issues are new and emerging young people and families. So I appreciate that answer about homelessness.

Can that program also work in conjunction with our Anti-Poverty Strategy and accessing more funds to make units available for the homeless in the regional centres like Fort Simpson? Thank you.