Michael Miltenberger

I will just reiterate the encouragement and admonition that we put out to all departments, as a matter of fact, to hire all the students possible within the resources that we have available.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Making Connections - Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults, A Framework for Action.

Thank you. I don’t have the number of the money that’s generated from the modest charge for long-term care facilities, but I will as well in the note to the Member add the cost that we do spend and the revenues, and the Member will see that these programs are heavily subsidized, with good reason. I mean, we made a choice, we want to give the elders in the Northwest Territories the best care possible at the most reasonable cost and I believe we are doing that, but I will share that information with the Member, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My list tells me we’ve hired nine, all in Yellowknife.

I will commit to meet with the Member. In fact, I’ll even buy him dinner, and we can do it over dinner to talk about this issue, Mr. Speaker. Of course, other Members that are looking to have sustenance at the expense of a poor, underpaid Minister, of course I’d be happy to have them come along. Thank you.

Thank you. This arrangement has been in place for decades now and the costs are heavily subsidized by the Government of the Northwest Territories to keep the rates where they’re at. There hasn’t been an increase in many, many years. But as it pertains to the question from the honourable Member, this service is not one that’s covered under a treaty or any kind of medical coverage through the treaty or non-insured health benefits.

Thank you. We’re committed, as is ENR, to hiring all the students we can with the resources we have available. I can’t commit specifically to the number 10, but I can commit to that fact. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, this is a longstanding issue tied into Fort Resolution being in the Akaitcho Territory and unsettled claims and Treaty 8 and the whole issue of payment of taxes. There have been a number of attempts to try to resolve this issue. There have been former chiefs that have asked for forgiveness or wiping the slate clean on a go-forward basis. Anything of that nature would require a Cabinet decision.

As I indicated, the Member has had no opportunity to discuss this particular issue in any detail, so I would once again just restate my commitment to sit down with him to talk about the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to recognize in the gallery a distinguished elder from Fort Smith, Bea Campbell, and president of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Esther Braden, a charter member of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Yvonne Quick, program coordinator, NWT Seniors’ Society; Merlyn Williams, director for YK Seniors’ Society who sits on the NWT Seniors’ Society board; Barb Hood, executive director, NWT Seniors’ Society: Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director and co-chair of the Coalition Against Family Violence; Annemieke Mulders, Status of Women Council of the NWT; Bob...

I will just reiterate the encouragement and admonition that we put out to all departments, as a matter of fact, to hire all the students possible within the resources that we have available.