Tom Beaulieu

I would ask the Minister: what does the Department of Health and Social Services have in place in the communities for individuals that have gone to treatment, whether it's through a program on the land or residential treatment down south? What is available to the individuals once they return home?

We need counselling to be available when it's actually needed and where it is needed. We have to find a way that works better than we have been doing so far. We can save lives. We can build a much healthier, a much prosperous society. The Department of Health and Social Services must make a greater effort to combat the effects of alcohol in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I raise a fact that we must face if we are going to make some real progress in the territory: Alcohol addictions and the impact on mental health it has in the NWT is huge. It comes home to roost in family violence, low education levels, unemployment, poor health. You name the problem, chances are that alcohol is the root.

I have been in government for a long time and know for a fact that we are not doing enough with addictions and mental health problems. The government has always struggled with this and how to get good long-term results. We tend to...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 4-18(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditure), No. 3, 2015-2016 be now concluded, and that the Tabled Document 4-18(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through a form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess it's not important, but I wondered why it indicated that it was for program delivery in regional centres and Yellowknife, yet vehicles are going to small communities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to review Tabled Document 3-18(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016; and Tabled Document 4-18(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2015-2016.

I would like to ask the Minister what the plan is to expand counselling to the other 14 communities that don't have counselling services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. On my statement today on alcohol addictions, I would like to ask the Minister what the Minister sees as the best treatment alternative if you were not to consider residential treatment in the south. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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