Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'll just quickly outline some of the many factors that we think are affecting not only the Bathurst herd, but the herds in general. There's things called weather events where we experience a lot of freezing rain in the last number of years during the winter that has frozen the ground making it very, very difficult for the animals to feed. There's concern that the number of predators is very large and extreme. There are hunting issues. There's more roads now and access to hunting than there's ever been before. There are development issues. So those...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, we anticipate, and we are starting to see, an improvement in our HR services now that we are consolidating, being more efficient and coordinating our efforts. The problems with nurses have long preceded the fact that we have consolidated HR. We continue to struggle nationally and internationally with a shortage of nurses. We have spent millions, as I have said, beefing up and coming up with a very good nursing program in the Northwest Territories. As well, we are also going to be developing an improved program for licensed practical nurses which will allow...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we bring in locum nurses on an as-required basis with the various authorities in the different facilities. I can indicate to the Member that the largest amount or use of locum nurses is in the Inuvik region, followed by the Sahtu. We do pay a very stiff premium. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the issue that the Member raises is a very good one; well, it’s not a good one, but it’s a very difficult, complex issue. What we have had working together is the social envelope Ministers, which are Housing; Education, Culture and Employment; Health and Social Services; Justice; and Municipal and Community Affairs. We’ve put in a supplementary appropriation for this winter to deal with the issue of those folks over the course of the winter that have no place to stay periodically. I recognize that the hard to house is an ongoing problem and it is with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very clearly we are of the strong opinion that the numbers indicate that we have a problem we have to address very, very quickly and carefully. All the boards up and down the valley have accepted that information. There is some question and some people that would like to have the numbers redone, and we'd like to confirm them, as well, just to make sure that our numbers are accurate. So there is a problem, and I can assure the Member that we are going to move on this. We've been working on it now for many months to come up with the interim measures plus...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I spent the last three questions providing the information of what we intend to do. I will just stand by those commitments that I made in previous answers to previous questions. We will ensure that, where appropriate, we go to public tender. Recognizing the business we are in, we require the latitude to do sole source in certain areas. Where it has been identified that the rules haven’t been applied properly, we have taken the steps with the deputy minister to ensure that everybody involved is clearly aware of what is expected of them. Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will ensure that we are appropriate and guidelines are followed and procedures are followed. But I would like to point out, as well, that we have some very significant contracts that are with a specific provider. The one that immediately comes to mind, of course, is the capital health authority, where we have over a $10 million arrangement with them to provide services. We have numerous arrangements for children in care that are very specialized services that we just don’t put out to tender. In cases where it is appropriate, we are talking about...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will make a commitment to check with the deputy, so we can ask the Sahtu staff and the board to confirm what is available and if there are gaps in the areas that the Member has mentioned. At that point, I would be able to talk with the Member further. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that work is underway across the Territories. We look at the resources we have and the needs that are there for the various facilities and communities and types of equipment. I would be happy to get for the Member the capital requirements for the Sahtu, both large capital and small capital and equipment, then we could have the discussion on a more informed basis. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Hay River is to be commended for their proactive attitude. We're working with communities, for example, that do energy plans for all communities because it's a very important area that has a huge impact on communities. As we go forward with this particular initiative, we are going to be working with communities and regions on a community-by-community basis as we look at how services are structured in their particular region or community. So I would ask if you'd bring forward the detail of what you're asking, we will look at it, we will...