Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 8, Write-off of Debts Act, 2013-2014, at a meeting on May 29, 2014. Following a clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report to the Assembly that Bill 8 was ready for consideration by Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s comments on Bill 8. Individual members may have comments or questions as we proceed.

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. Chair. I move that the Department of Health and Social Services focus on prevention, early intervention and family preservation strategies with the goal of reducing the need for child apprehensions; and further, that measurable targets be specified for the upcoming five- and 10-year periods. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

I move that the Department of Health and Social Services produce a comprehensive action plan by June 30, 2014, and table it in the Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has presented its report on the review of the 2014 Report or the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. The committee’s report, which was read into the record, includes 30 recommendations. For the benefit of the public, members would like to explain how and why the committee conducted the review as well as what’s in the report.

The Auditor General of Canada is an important source of independent, professional advice for this Legislative Assembly. The Auditor General usually conducts one...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is in terms of fuel and its pricing in terms of the oil and gas industry. Surely the Minister of Public Works and Services, in terms of the department monitoring the fuel prices and its fluctuations, what future trends can northern consumers expect in terms of fuel pricing as we go into the summer, the fall and the winter?