Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement today I questioned the assistance to seniors housing and helping seniors that are currently in their own house and what is available. My question to the Minister of Housing is: What programs are currently available for seniors in their own home?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to discuss the increasing need of our seniors. In Hay River the situation for seniors housing is reaching a critical point. Many seniors are finding it difficult to maintain their own homes and are trying to secure a place in senior public housing. As we all know, these spaces are very limited. At this time I would suggest that if we were able to assist the seniors to stay in their own homes, it would take the pressure off the government to supply more senior housing.

Currently, seniors are given some assistance for heating costs, but with the increase...

As I indicated, the economic benefit that the municipalities provide to their local economy is very strong and I’d like to know from the Minister if MACA is considering increasing some of the funding they provide to the municipalities to do infrastructure development.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I was talking about the appreciation night for the Town of Hay River today, but my questions are for the Minister of MACA. I’d like to know what training MACA provides to municipalities for the help of the employees.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister indicated that there will be a review completed. Can the Minister tell me the expected date on that review completion?

My next question is: What funding does MACA provide to the municipalities to do its training in the community itself?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague and I will be returning to Hay River this evening for an appreciation night for the Town of Hay River staff. We will be honoured to host the Minister of MACA, the Honourable R.C. McLeod, in Hay River.

The appreciation of the staff in Hay River is greatly appreciated there. The local jobs affect the community greatly. The staff there have the opportunity to take on training, skills development in first aid, equipment training, water treatment and mechanics. We feel these are very important staff positions in the community. These people spend their money in...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My opening comments on the budget this year, as I indicated in the House before, my concern with the escalation of our operating expenses, over the last 10 years we’ve seen our budget double in the 10-12 years since division. Our population hasn’t grown anywhere near that. I know we have lots of demands, especially from this side of the House, on things we need to do, but we need to curb some of that spending as well.

When we were discussing the issue of our borrowing limit, one of the indicators I had indicated was the budget at that time was $1.2 billion and we need...

Can the Minister answer me the question of the financial investment that the department is looking at committing to this Midwifery Program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my Member’s speech, my questions will be for the Minister of Health today. After a review of the Midwifery Program is completed, when will the department deliver the commitment of the Midwifery Program?