Kevin A. Menicoche

Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Ministers’ statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell myself and the community what provisions are in place today to address those that may need assistance or may need help with their counselling needs today? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to my Member’s statement on the absence of an alcohol and drug worker in the community of Fort Liard. I would just like to ask the Minister what the transition plan was and why there isn’t an alcohol and drug counsellor there today. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to what I consider to be a failing on the part of this government. I refer to the situation regarding alcohol and drug counselling services in the community of Fort Liard. The point I wish to make is there are no alcohol and drug counsellors in Fort Liard.

I have no further comments, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We will begin with Minister's Statement 70-15(3), and then we will discuss 48-15(3), 49-15(3) and 54-15(3).

I would like to thank the Minister for his answers, Mr. Speaker. That’s an immediate concern. As well, he did bring up the mental health position. Perhaps I can ask the Minister when that will be filled, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the contention here, Mr. Speaker, is that there was quite a bit of controversy when they cancelled the programming that was run by the band. We had asked to extend it as long as possible and they did, but they assured us of a smooth transfer, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister again how soon will the community of Fort Liard be getting an alcohol counsellor? Thank you.

Until a short time ago, those services were available. There was a counsellor working in the community who was hired by the band through a program sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services. The department, in an effort to consolidate alcohol and drug programs, decided to cut the funding. The intent was to hire a new counsellor who would be a departmental employee and thereby standardize their service across the NWT. At the time the department first proposed the move, it created a lot of controversy amongst community residents. People were concerned about losing a valuable...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, too, as well, to support the motion that’s before us, with regard to housing. Just with that alone, that’s one of our basic core needs: food, shelter and clothing. That’s fundamental to any existence anywhere in this world. I just want to speak to the fact that, upon being elected…It has almost been a year now and people warned me, they told me, they said, Kevin, the single most common concern that’s going to come before you, especially for Nahendeh, is housing. And it’s true. Over the course of the year, I can say that at least 50 percent of the concerns I’ve been...