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...

I'd like to ask the Minister if there's staff in the corrections facility, themselves working for the Department of Justice, that work with the inmates on their mental health, addictions, and educational issues.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this Legislative Assembly formally adopt Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of the Government of Northwest Territories, 2016-2019 as amended.

Marsi cho. Today I would like to talk about some unfortunate government spending which is 100 per cent preventable, but we are all humans and most likely, there will always be crime and incarcerations. Thank you. The cost of our corrections services is about $39.5 million per year. At any given time, the correction facilities are housing about 200 adult offenders. The daily cost of one person incarcerated in corrections is $252 per day, and that was a number from about six or seven years ago. My guess is that it has gone up considerably and it's around $100,000 per year per person. It is...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, as opposed to developing an action plan, what we are recommending is that we implement an action plan. We know that there is some money now in home and community care services, so we are looking for an action plan to enhance those services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019 be amended on page 25 by deleting the words “Developing an action plan for enhanced home and community care services” and inserting the words “Developing and implementing an action plan for enhanced home and community care services.”

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Committee wishes to continue review of the Proposed Mandate of the Government of Northwest Territories, 2016-2019.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to Item 5 on the orders of the day.