Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [translation] Minister of Health and Social Services, the kids that are addicted to drugs and alcohol, that is what I want to ask [translation ends].

The Department of Health and Social Services tabled a strategic framework on mental health and addictions recovery. Now, it is working on three action plans, with children and youth coming first. Can the Minister provide an update on the work towards its Children and Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Thirty per cent of NWT youth reported that they had been harmed in some way by their own drinking in the past year; 56 per cent reported that they had been harmed by somebody else's drinking.

However, Mr. Speaker, there is hope. I compliment the Department of Health and Social Services for the work they are doing in this area. When a person looks for help, the help is available. The problem is it is not available to all and it is not available everywhere.

As we go through the budget, I will be asking the Ministers to spread the magic of HSS through the NWT to all youth...

Marci cho, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Carried

Mr. Speaker, as the Premier has indicated, the Minister of Climate Change and Energy indicated, the charettes in 2012 and 2014 were to set the path today to record the way the government plans to go. It brought people together, helped clarify the thinking of government, and set the path for renewable energy and getting off diesel.

Will the government, in consideration to the items that the Premier has requested essentially saying if we can provide more information and that can be done, will the Premier appoint a senior official to be part of this collaborative working group to this critical...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Premier in his role as Chairman of the Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Energy and Climate Change. Mr. Speaker, getting small communities off diesel is a priority for the federal government, GNWT, and this Assembly. It is also a priority for MLAs on this side of the House, as we represent 25 of the 25 communities off-grid. Will the government continue to work with the communities, Aboriginal governments, industry, and environmental nongovernment organizations on a microgrid charette in June in Yellowknife that will kick start...

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in his sessional statement, the Premier mentioned a combined federal-territorial initiative looking at renewable solutions for the off-grid diesel community. Those solutions exist. Colville Lake has proven that. A carbon tax is coming. Emissions need to be cut. The cost of living needs to be brought down in our small communities, and our small communities need economic opportunity.

There was a Pan-Canadian summit on this priority in Winnipeg in January. There were small community people from Akaitcho, Deh Cho, Tlicho, Sahtu, as well as the chair of the IRC...

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is there is a planning meeting of a working group working towards a charette here in Yellowknife on February 22nd and 23rd. I was wondering if the Premier could commit senior officials from that group or a senior official from that group to attend the working group meeting? Thank you.

My understanding is this is a collaboration between several organizations. They have already raised $135,000 of $325,000 required for the charette; $40,000 from the Boreal Initiative; $20,000 from Tides Canada; $15,000 from the Gwich'in Tribal Council; and the potential of $60,000 from the mines. Will the government come forward as a funding partner to contribute the remaining $190,000 to make this charette a reality and a success?

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move item 11 on the orders paper, replies to budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

---Carried

I will now rise to report progress.