Statements in Debates
Like I said, I had done a Member’s statement and had provided written questions to the House and upon receipt of the information as well as the commitment to share whatever information I had to my colleague Mr. Hawkins. I look forward to these details and trying to come up with some ideas of how to do things differently in order to achieve one of the priorities of our Assembly, which is to lower the cost of living in all our communities.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I think I’d done a Member’s statement on fuel delivery to the communities and trying to evaluate the best way to lower the cost of living. Because that’s one of the biggest single factors in the communities, is people depend on the heating fuel and the gasoline and the mode of diesel as well.
So I did ask some written questions, as well, and I’m kind of waiting on those responses. I’m just wondering if this department looked at alternative ways of getting fuel to the communities. I was kind of leaning towards exploring a subsidy so that the cost of the fuel is...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one final, short question. Given the tragedy and the accident on Highway No. 1 last week, the Member for Deh Cho actually said it was a Health and Social Services van that went out there and took the injured person back to Fort Providence.
Does this kind of incident highlight the importance of a ground ambulance support system throughout the Northwest Territories with the Minister and this government? Thank you.
I know that in past Assemblies we were working on, I think it was the ambulance committee. Maybe the Minister can clarify exactly what committee that was. I thought we had some discussions about actually reactivating that committee. I think it was Health and Social Services, MACA and one other department. Anyway, can the Minister identify that committee again, and see if it will be activated for this Assembly, because we really have to address those gaps in our highway systems and saving people’s lives.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Stella Nadia, the deputy mayor of the Village of Fort Simpson, up in the gallery here today. I just want to say that she is a champion of the new pool in Fort Simpson as well as a tireless volunteer in Fort Simpson. Welcome and enjoy the proceedings this afternoon.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress.
---Carried
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a committee motion. I move that this committee strongly recommends that the government take immediate action to increase overall funding for addictions and mental health program delivery initiatives, including funding needed to implement the mental health and addictions plan and community wellness plan.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 9-17(4), NWT Main Estimates, 2013-2014, and the continuation of Health and Social Services, and as well as Public Works and Services. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned that the smaller remote communities, too, even though they are much smaller, they do need assistance with the clients filling out the application, meeting the deadlines. I would like to ask the Minister if part of the strategy is to be aware of that. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, so the Minister was talking about the intake cycle. Is that complete now? Are they currently evaluating all of the clients to see if they can match them to the home ownership programs such as HELP and PATH right now? Thank you.