Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Member is well aware, and everybody here is well aware, that we have just gone through a three-day Caucus planning session. We are to conclude that by the conclusion of next week. Coming out of that we will make priorities, as a Legislature, as to where that sort of project will fit into our overall objectives. So it will be very premature on my part to speak about that specifically because it involves capital planning process, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we do have a consensus government, and we need to work together to achieve this. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have an exact dollar figure on the money that we spend down south for the treatment. I will be happy to get that specific information and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. November is National Adoption Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to recognize adoptive families in the Northwest Territories who have opened both their hearts and their homes to children in need of a family.

Adoption provides a child with permanence and security. All children need roots and a feeling that they belong to a family. This feeling of belonging affects a child’s sense of self-worth. It helps to determine how children see themselves in relation to others and to their communities.

The face of adoption has changed over the years and there are now children of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will make my commitment to work my best to make sure that it doesn’t stay on the back of the line. I just don’t know exactly what part of the front line it is at. I will provide the information to the Member. I just can’t remember which year it is at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess a flux is not a good word in the capital planning process. I am sorry. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that project was in the books as a renovation project. It is moving toward being a new facility just because some parts of that building are about 40 years old and other parts are about 30 years old. There is a review being done as to whether or not it is more economical to make it into a new capital building or renovate. I think the information I am getting is that we are moving towards it being a new capital project. Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is well aware that this capital project has to be approved by Members. It will go forward. He will be advised as such. When we do plan the sod turning ceremony, I will make sure to invite him so that he can be there along with us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you, I don’t really know what it is that he is talking about. I think he is talking about aftercare program. I state that, again, Mr. Speaker, that is an important part of addiction strategy and mental health issue. I am willing to work on that. If the Member wants to provide me with any information that he would like me to look at, I would be happy to look at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this project is very much a live issue. Mr. Speaker, also there was some interest on the part of some Members to have a sod turning ceremony, but it was right smack in the middle of campaigns. That didn’t seem like a very good idea at the time. Mr. Speaker, there is a need for the YACCS and the government to finalize on the access agreement so that there could be more work done to use the space that is owned by YACCS. There are lots of other details that are being worked on. I can assure the Member that this project is very much alive. There is a lot...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can assure you I was not in any way suggesting that any follow-up was being done in bingo halls. Mr. Speaker, the part of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy of the North has provided a number of positions that work with the whole continuum of care. There are about 69 community wellness workers all across the Territories and there are lots of other addictions workers, counsellors. There are lots of programs that have been put into place. Understandably, I would like to review, as a Minister, how we are doing in that regard. If there is room...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to do that. Thank you.