Kevin A. Menicoche

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be voting in favour of Bill 13, but I just wanted to indicate my displeasure as well. A lot of the things contained in Bill 13 could have been brought to the Members beforehand and debated. Instead, the government chose to do it after we finished sitting back in June. There were a few other opportunities and they did send us some memos, but it’s not the same as sitting with us as Regular Members as a joint committee to debate the merits of some of the expenditures, Mr. Speaker. With that, I will finish up. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to say I’m pleased with the outcome of the recent negotiations that the Premier and Deputy Premier had down in Ottawa speaking with, of course, the Prime Minister and respective Ministers.

I just wanted to speak to a few things. We all know that our formula financing is very old, Madam Chair. I can say about 30 years old and I’m glad that there is some appetite in Ottawa to say yes, you as the NWT are an important part of Canada and, yes, you do have a base in which to control your own destiny and futures. Here’s a way of doing it; by loosening up the...

Madam Chair, Committee of the Whole wishes to consider Bill 13, Supplementary Act, No. 2, 2004-2005, and Minister's Statement 68-15(3), the NWT Housing Corporation Minister’s statement. Thank you very much.