Right now there has been discussion in terms of the Stanton Hospital updates. Within the hospital, we have an extended care unit, and unfortunately, there are some persons who live there because there is no other facility to house them.

I believe it’s time for a designated territorial facility that provides professional, state-of-the-art rehabilitation services for disabled persons in a warm and homelike environment.

Will the Minister commit to examining the feasibility of such a facility? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently, in April, there was a day designated as Autism Awareness Day. I do know of parents who are caring for their autistic children and they’re burdened with the cost of bringing, sometimes, their autistic children down south just to get that specialized care.

In the hospitals, too, we have a few patients who live there in the extended care unit. Sometimes, of course, there’s separation from family, and sometimes we have disabled persons who have to be removed from their family and communities.

Being disabled, there are challenges in terms of transportation. We just...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 9, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2013-2014, on May 29, 2014.

Following the clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report to the Assembly that Bill 9 was ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 9. Individual Members may have comments or questions as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Minister for highlighting some of the possibilities. There’s hope.

The Minister has indicated the idea of repatriating some of our patients who live down south and possibly moving the extended care unit.

As the Minister leading the Department of Health and Social Services, what is his vision in terms of how it is that perhaps facilities designated for disabled persons could work, and how could industry and non-government organizations play a part in helping the government realize this dream of having a facility in the North for disabled persons...

Thank you. The five key areas of the action plan include employment, education, income, disability supports and housing. One of the problems that government seems to have once in a while is working in silos. We have, perhaps, one division in a department working in isolation from another division. An example right now is Health and Social Services. The Minister is stating the responsibility for public transportation for disabled persons is a responsibility of communities, basically MACA.

In these key areas, what interdepartmental activities are being undertaken to advance the quality of life...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. June 2nd to 8th is Disability Awareness Week in Canada. It continues the tradition of National Access Awareness Week, established in 1988, to promote better community access for people with disabilities.

The impetus behind these national campaigns was Rick Hanson’s Man in Motion world tour. A Canadian icon, Rick Hanson dreamt of creating an accessible and inclusive world and finding a cure for spinal cord injury. For 26 months he wheeled over 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries. He averaged 30,000 strokes a day, through tough terrain, harsh weather, illness and injury...

I’d like to thank the Minister for highlighting at least one measure that the government is undertaking. It’s stabilizing the fuel prices.

What kinds of current measures are in place to help consumers meet the high price of fuel, and also, in the future, what measures would the government contemplate if indeed we have a higher than average cold winter up here and it, of course, affects the consumers and maintaining their fuel costs to heat their homes?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It’s very clear in the Auditor General’s report, about 90 percent of the children that are involved with child and family services are First Nations children, so it is imperative on this government to at least build a working relationship with the First Nations governments. Whether it be at the local or else the tribal level or else at the territorial level, that’s something that needs to be done. This relationship is going to be critical in terms of the success of how the government responds to the Auditor General’s report, so it’s essential that the working relationship...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The cost of fuel is hurting homeowners in small communities across the NWT. Seniors and those on a fixed income are especially vulnerable to increased fuel prices.

Since 1999, heating oil and propane prices have increased over 200 percent in many places. Last week Petro Canada rack rates in Hay River price diesel and furnace fuel oil at $1.01 per litre. Global demand and prices for fossil fuels continue to rise.

Government needs to look at ways to standardize fuel prices like other provinces have done. We could establish rates for private, commercial and industry customers...

Again, it’s really asking the department to address the very fundamental concerns raised by the Auditor General. Perhaps there are strengths that the department has, and I think it needs to build on its strengths. There are some programs and initiatives that work well and we need to build upon the positives, and perhaps this motion is in that spirit. Mahsi.