Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for what he’s suggesting. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has indicated that autopsies are being done, but the final reports are not out. It is encouraging to hear that the RCMP has decided, after a few moments of hesitation, to work with the SPCA and such. Would the Minister commit to work with Minister McLeod and with these two agencies to see how we can tighten up what we have and how to improve what we have? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to hearing from the Minister when the investigations are concluded. I’m not sure if this will result in someone being charged or anything like that, but just to get an update on the case. But, Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe that this issue only has to do with those six dogs that were found. I had made a reference to those two puppies that were found frozen to death in a dump in Hay River. We’ve also had a report in Tuktoyaktuk where there were some animals frozen in the ice storm. I think really there is a role for the government to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin today also by extending a very special welcome to Mr. Robert McLeod. I must say, Mr. Speaker, I have really enjoyed watching him watch us over the last few months. He certainly has given me a new perspective to have a fresh set of eyes and many ideas he has brought to us already. Also, Mr. Speaker, I don’t know if everybody knows, but today is New Year’s Day under the lunar calendar. I know you have wished us a Happy New Year from the regular calendar, but I would like to extend a Happy New Year to everyone here and around the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak very briefly in support of this motion. Mr. Speaker, I support this because I believe this is one more step and a more formal step to reiterate the concerns that the Members of this House have about the way the rules about special warrants are set out as they exist now, Mr. Speaker. Also, I must tell you I was quite -- what’s the right word, because I don’t want to be overdramatic -- I was quite surprised yesterday by the statements made by the Minister of Finance in response to the debates we had. I’m reading the responses from the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think if we learned anything this week it is that our Members on this side are being chastised all the time for raising totally legitimate questions. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has not answered the question. I would like him to commit to seeing to do a better job to hire all of the mental health and addictions workers in the communities, because there are a lot of vacancies there and they are the key part to dealing with this community-wide and NWT-wide problem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister keeps talking about let’s have this debate. Well, I don’t know if he is trying to have this in his dreams or not, or in his sleep. I am telling him, Mr. Speaker, the debate is right now. I am asking him very specific questions. I am not making any political rhetoric. I am telling him, Mr. Speaker, that his time for planning and his favourite words and careful measured steps to plan are over. I am telling him, I am not saying the whole strategy is a disaster, but his implementation of it, we do not have mental health and addiction workers...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are well aware the toll that addiction to alcohol, drugs and gambling is having on our people and our society. The problem is getting worse every day, Mr. Speaker. We are also aware that the toxicity of the new drugs, especially crack cocaine on the street, is getting more intense and very unforgiving to those who come in touch with it. There is almost no second chance, Mr. Speaker. I believe we are also aware, Mr. Speaker, that we need an agreement that so much needs to be done by this government if we are ever to make inroads into what we are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, obviously I rise to speak in favour of this motion. Mr. Speaker, I guess I should preface it by saying that it seems to be that the Members on the other side are feeling a little bit under attack and maybe it appears as though we’re not saying they’re doing anything good at all. So let me say if I’m pointing out anything that they’re falling short on, it’s not to say that we’re saying that they’re not doing anything good at all. They’re otherwise perfect, I’m sure.

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Except for the issue I’m dealing with at the time. So, yes, I am willing to give...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unless the Minister is mixing me up with the Member for Tu Nedhe or the Member for Kam Lake, I have not mentioned a word about building a treatment centre. I asked very specific questions. There are at least two key positions at the clinical mental health unit at the hospital that are vacant. They have stopped advertising for those positions. They are not recruiting, and the recruiter is no longer in office. As far as I am aware, there is minimal effort to rehire those units. I am asking a very specific question about service delivery here. I think the Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask my questions to the Minister of Health in his capacity and his responsibilities as Minister of Health and not a fixer of everything. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the addiction and not necessarily just on the preventative measures, which is important as he has indicated, but I want to deal with the fixing side of it, which I believe the Minister is responsible for. Mr. Speaker, given the amount of problems we have with drug use and alcohol addiction, I really believe that we should be at the forefront, and we should have our own treatment...