Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, we’re going to be building a lot of the detail of this move into the business plan, but I would be happy to put together a package for the Social Programs committee and meet with them, along with the many other issues we have on the agenda to meet with them about in the next number of weeks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clearly this government has articulated the position that indicates they are willing to look at opportunities to decentralize services outside of Yellowknife when possible and feasible. In this case, we have an opportunity to access a facility that is about seven or eight years newer than the facility in Yellowknife. We had money already in the budget that we just have to transfer. It was vacant. It was an opportunity to in fact have a program run in a community that has the capacity to deliver the service at the same level, in my opinion, that is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been money in the capital budget to do this. We’ve carried it over for the last year or so and the money that is already there, instead of being used here, will be used for the renovations of Dene K’onia.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a waiting list of up to seven individuals. Currently, I understand, there is a waiting list of one. So we are looking at utilizing Dene K’onia and when it comes to services in Yellowknife, there will continue to be the many services that are here for children. I would just like to remind individuals, as well, we are working on, at the urging of this House, our southern placements to see what repatriation possibilities are there both for children and for adults. That is an ongoing process that is currently underway, as well. So there will be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of what NGOs pay their staff is one that is affecting many operations within government, including other operations in Yellowknife, especially those that are unionized who are increasing pressure for a wage parity and it’s an issue that we are struggling with. The reality is we have a program run by Bosco in Fort Smith that is staffed and fully functional. It’s our anticipation that we will be able to do this as well in Hay River with either the staff, a few that are going to transfer, or through the hiring process in Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there will be an opportunity for staff currently employed, if they wish, to look at transferring. Also Yellowknife has the benefit of having one of the hottest economies in the country, so there are significant job opportunities here. Yellowknife Health and Social Services will also be working with the staff to see what is available. So we will make every effort to ensure that we can minimize whatever personal disruption there is to current staff in Yellowknife as we look at the transition. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to review and take the concerns of the Member to the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. As I have indicated, they have already had meetings with the various NGOs and their own officials to look at the targets and the budget figures that we have for the coming year. At the Member’s request, I would be happy to visit that with the Health and Social Services Authority for Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, starting today in Fort Smith we will also be launching our annual carnival, the Wood Buffalo Frolics, and they’ll be starting off with a feast tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow to take part in the festivities over the weekend.

As Minister McLeod mentioned, the weekend after next we’re having the first Northern Games in Fort Smith. I’d like to thank the Minister for his leadership on that issue but, most of all, like every community, I’d like to recognize the many volunteers that work tirelessly to make these events possible, that raise the quality of life...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, the authority has significant flexibility in some areas when it comes to funding and the $33 million that they administer. They have made some determinations already. They’ve met with the NGOs but, as I just indicated to the Member, I will talk to our department and we will get in touch with Yellowknife Health and Social Services on this issue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There were cuts proposed that were laid out in our business plan and in the draft main estimates; the details which were shared fully with the committees. It was also initially reviewed by the COs and the authorities and we reviewed the areas where we anticipated we could meet the targets that we set as a department.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the specific cuts to Yellowknife; there were some cuts to the wellness funding, but Yellowknife Health and Social Services has about a $33 million budget. They already inject additional funds over and above what wellness...