Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a very disappointing lack of commitment and a lack of a very substantive answer to an everyday problem that we experience in small communities.

I don’t know; what is the role of the department, then, and the Minister, the role of this government in addressing persons with disabilities that require services at the local level? What role is this Minister going to play and what role is this government going to play in addressing services that could be directed towards meeting the needs of disabled people?

I was expecting an answer like that. Has the Department of Health and Social Services discussed this matter with other departments if there’s no funding, like MACA or with the Town of Hay River, to look for a partnership solution to these problems? We need an answer today. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Jeanna Graham from the K’atlodeeche First Nation. Jeanna is an elder who was recognized in the Minister’s culture awards. At the same time, Jeanna serves on the band council, as well, on the K’atlodeeche First Nation. As well, to all the recipients of the Minister’s culture awards, I’d like to extend congratulations.

In the NWT we pride ourselves on made-in-the-North solutions and we always try to be independent in terms of trying to aspire to make things work here for us.

Why can’t we have our own people treat our own people in addictions to help them recover and at least reach a productive life in communities and in the NWT? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Addictions and its effects in the NWT are a big problem. It’s sad to see many of our people struggle, and like many, we are compelled to try to do something. Chief Roy Fabian and his council on the K’atlodeeche First Nation were trying to do that. We have an unused and empty facility on that reserve.

Will the Minister commit to working with Chief Fabian and his council to consider reopening the treatment centre? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s very clear and there’s no denying that we have a huge addictions problem in the North.

Will the Minister admit that we do have a problem and that the treatment centre is one solution and that the treatment centre should be reopened? Mahsi.

I’d like to thank the Minister for his reply. Can the Minister expand the fundamental issues in terms of having customized made-in-the-NWT treatment programs? Can the Minister explain to this House the cost deficiencies in terms of having customized addictions programs here in the NWT versus sending people down south? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’m very distressed over this week’s report that the Minister of Health and Social Services has rejected a proposal put forth by the K’atlodeeche First Nations to reopen the only addictions treatment centre located in the NWT. There was a lot of disappointment and disbelief when the department pulled the funding for the Hay River Reserve’s Nats’ejee K’eh Treatment Centre.

I agree with my colleagues in this House; I question whether it was a wise decision to close the only addictions treatment centre in the NWT. I was willing to accept the department’s position that they were...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I have some great news to share about the community of Kakisa. After more than five years, with special planning and construction, Kakisa is ready to host the grand opening of their new community hall.

The new hall is built alongside the old Deh Cho Assembly arbour. It was a bustling hub of community activity year round, ready to host sports and games, feasts and other community gatherings, with space left for storage and meetings.

The old community hall quickly filled to capacity, but the new hall will have more than enough room for all residents, family and friends.

I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’ve experienced a forest fire over the past two years. It’s really affected communities along the highways. So we have, in some places, fallen trees and burnt out areas. In some cases they are close to communities.

Would the Minister commit his department to work with communities that are interested in salvaging the burnt wood that is closely situated to their community or along the highway? Mahsi.