Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d be happy to make a commitment to get back to the Member on that. We spent about $8 million on mental health and addictions area. But I’ll have to talk to him more about exactly what programs and services he means for what communities. I understand we have a breakdown between the authorities, but I understand that he would like information on how much money flows through to small communities. I could work with the Member to get him the information he needs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought I was quite specific on my action plan. I don’t know what “lip service” means. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that Beaufort-Delta especially and their social services system has more vacancies and more turnover rates and the community would like to have more services in their communities. I am working on that right now. I hope to give him a specific proposal. Thank you.

I certainly agree with the Member that the Sahtu is probably…and I have to say I haven’t travelled to the Sahtu yet as the Minister of Health and Social Services. I have to go there and see for myself, but my understanding is that Sahtu is one without a long-term care facility for seniors, for example. I know that the health facility in Norman Wells was one that was transferred from the federal government and it is very aged. I will make the commitment to see what we have in Sahtu and work with him and the board to see how we prioritize the needs in the Sahtu and put it into the process. Thank...

My understanding is that report is quite outdated. I think the point that the Member is raising is very valid. We do not have the comprehensive report on the capital or facility needs of the Territories in terms of health and social service related capital projects. I think it is one that we need to develop. I have instructed the officials to look into that. I certainly understand that we need to catch up on the work on the capital needs in the Sahtu. I will be happy to make a commitment to the Member that I will work with him and the health board in Sahtu, work toward this initiative. Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to speak in favour of this motion. The chair of the committee, Member Hawkins, mentioned that he’s been fighting for this since day one of his office. I can say that I wanted to have laptops be used in committees as well as in Committee of the Whole since I came into office in ’99. We’ve had numerous debates on this and I would like to thank the committee and chair for bringing this to this stage. I believe that this recommendation is about making the laptops available during Committee of the Whole, not during formal session, respecting the...

The Member from Sahtu has raised issues for capital projects in terms of a health facility in Colville Lake, regional wellness centre, a seniors facility in Sahtu and so we would have to do some more work to prioritize. We should also look at what the demands and needs are in the Territories for these facilities and prioritize them. Obviously, all of this work would require on my part to work with all of the Cabinet Members as well as the Members of this House. I will certainly be willing to see the Housing Minister to see if there are any funds there to support us from the federal government...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for the question and point that he has raised. Mr. Speaker, with respect to a report, it is my understanding that there was a report done a number of years ago for internal use only. We don’t have a most recent report done on health care facilities in the Sahtu or the Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to take a moment to recognize many, many constituents from Range Lake who are here. I know they know whose riding they’re in and I see them all. I just think there are too many for me to mention. I just want to thank them for being here. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to the issue of board reform from the health and social services perspective. As Minister of Health and Social Services I have heard concerns on what this board reform means to the NWT health and social services system. As my Cabinet colleagues have mentioned and I have stated all along, nothing is set in stone and we are looking for feedback on how to proceed.

In health and social services, we are always looking to improve service delivery for our clients while at the same time making sure our system is financially sustainable. The...

I’d like to thank the Members for the comments to this motion. I see there are lots of people in the gallery and I’m sure there are people around the Territory and perhaps some parts of Canada who are watching, to see how we’re going to emerge from this motion.

I’ve been here for 10 years. I was elected in 1999 and this is my third Assembly. In that time I have seen a lot of things. So what is happening today is new in some ways and not in others. I see that there are lots of people who watch us who are more familiar with how the consensus system works and how conflicts arise and how some of...