Michael Nadli

Mr. Speaker, I think there are a few elders that would be more likely categorized in a very stressful situation where their bills have piled up to the point where they're more likely pondering the idea, if they're aware of the option, of bankruptcy. Could the Minister and his department consider an interim arrangement? How long would it take for the Minister to remedy this injustice?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Lands. As people might be aware in this House, the very fundamental questions on the ownership and jurisdictions in the sovereignty of the Deh Cho hands is being negotiated. My question is to the Minister of Lands. Why is the government requiring Dene elders to lease the land they live on, now designated as Commissioner's lands? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, February sees many Canadians celebrate Valentine's Day, expressing their love to friends and family; but there's no reason to limit that to just one day a year. I encourage everyone to look beyond the post-Valentine's chocolate sales and take a few moments to talk about heart disease.

February is also Heart Month, a time when the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation ramps up its efforts to raise awareness as well as funds for its life-saving research efforts. Mr. Speaker, we know that the heart plays a critical role in our health. Our hearts keep us alive, but...

The Minister stated that steps were being taken, apart from education initiatives, in terms of prevention. I'm a member of the Standing Committee on Social Development, and that committee has pushed for the department to take targeted action towards smoking prevention and cessation programs in our small communities. How has the department taken action on anti-smoking work in our small communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in my statement I talked about the situation with heart disease in the Northwest Territories, and Canada as well. Trying to address that, this government has a wide and varied approach. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Chronic disease, including heart disease, contributes to sudden deaths in the Northwest Territories. The Department of Health and Social Services has identified tackling chronic disease as one of their major policy and program goals. How will the department take on heart disease in 2018-2019?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, recently I did find myself in the community hall in Fort Providence and it was packed, and it wasn't because of the bingo; it was the health fair that was happening. So I just wanted to follow up with the Minister in terms of what are the plans in terms of maybe building upon the success of the health fairs that are happening throughout the NWT communities? Mahsi.

I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. The Minister has to be commended, and indeed in his department, in terms of undertaking education initiatives to ensure that people do live a healthy lifestyle. One of the challenges, of course, is language. My question is, once again, did the department recently work with communities in the Sahtu region to develop a Sahtu glossary for cancer terminology with entries in multiple dialects? This is some incredibly valuable work, and I congratulate all those who made is possible. With heart disease matching cancer for health impacts in the NWT, can...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to my colleague, as well.

Guthrie House

Guthrie House is a residential treatment program known as a "therapeutic community". It operates within the British Columbia corrections system and is administered by the provincial Department of Justice. It is not a treatment facility under contract with Health and Social Services.

Nevertheless, the committee's visit to Guthrie House was informative. The men-only treatment program offers continuous intake, but caps enrolment at roughly 50 residents. To participate, inmates must either self-identify or be recommended, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Issues with specific provisions of the bill

While there was limited discussion in the public hearing about the merits or drawbacks of particular provisions of the bill, specific issues were raised in the written submissions received by the committee. These include:

The need for greater transparency

A concern was raised that the bill does not contain any provisions requiring public disclosure about how the proceeds of the lottery will be disbursed to sport organizations.

Multisport games funding

Concerns were raised about the inclusion of multisport games funding under...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Since we returned to the House at the beginning of this month, I have often shared stories of the challenges faced by Deh Cho communities calling on the government to fulfill its commitments to Northerners. There are stories of Deh Cho resiliency, Mr. Speaker, in our communities, innovations, and ambitions. Today, though, I want to celebrate another part of the Deh Cho: our sense of fun, our community spirit, and our celebration of tradition.

That's right: it is K'ambaa Carnival weekend. The K'ambaa Carnival has been held every year since 1984, Mr. Speaker, when Fred Martel...