Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I will be pleased to provide the Minister with that information. Here is a case where we are going to have to look at it, and probably immediately, the procedural changes like the FMBS is really wanting to put in place. But when it applies to the smaller communities and seasonal workers, it just does not make sense and I will forward to the Minister more detail if the Minister is willing to have a good look and maybe make some immediate changes, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to the proceedings between the NWT and B.C. health authorities interjurisdictional agreement that I requested back in the fall. I’m just wondering if there’s any progress or if there’s anything being done in this regard to help the residents of Fort Liard and their needs of accessing health in B.C. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am aware of some of the initiatives, particularly by the RCMP or the Justice department in terms of the DARE program. I am just wondering about some of the content about what is available to our youth in the schools. I recently quit smoking cigarettes…

---Applause

….and many years ago I had a personal battle with alcohol and I was able to deal with that by myself. I was just thinking does our curriculum or some of the things we are teaching our children help them know where to turn for help. Is that within what we are teaching them, Madam Speaker?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I will be addressing the request from the community of Jean Marie River for their log home building training program. Jean Marie, along with Wrigley and Nahanni Butte just to name a few, do not have economic development officers and are not home communities to large economic development initiatives. They are small communities with limited economic activities and opportunities. When the community of Jean Marie embarks on a log home building initiative and needs assistance with training dollars, we should be giving special consideration when evaluating their...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I know my honourable colleagues have made strong statements for the last week or last couple weeks with regard to the transfer of the Territorial Treatment Centre to Hay River. With regard to that and with regard to this motion specifically, Mr. Chairman, I am going to have to say that I cannot support this motion. It’s just that my mandate, as an elected representative from the Nahendeh riding, is to be supportive of decentralization and I will maintain that mandate and champion it at every opportunity that I can. It was really disheartening to have the 27...

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Here is another example of where we’re supposed to be getting something moving on this so I tell the residents of Fort Liard that we’re going to be looking at this and addressing those needs, that it doesn’t make financial sense to drive two hours and then fly all the way to Yellowknife to get their needs met. Recently I was back in Fort Liard and people with medical conditions were telling me I have to go all the way to Yellowknife to say yes, I have knee problems. If they can do that, if they can get this agreement off the ground or at least discussions...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Is it the priority of this government to continue with the expansion of these programs if they feel it’s necessary? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Education. I was at a briefing today with respect to tobacco addictions, Madam Speaker. I was thinking in addictions overall, how much of a role does our Education department play in the curriculum of teaching our children about addictions? How much time do we have set aside in our education system, Madam Speaker, with respect to teaching our children about addictions?

Thank you, honourable colleagues. Madam Speaker, if the GNWT does not take action now, it would be unacceptable if there was a serious, unfortunate event that was to occur. Health care must be one of the highest priorities of this government. The provision of regular health care for our communities and constituents must be a priority of this government. It, too, I believe, must be declared a necessary service to the NWT, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause