Tom Beaulieu

I certainly have no issue with contacting the various seniors organizations at the community levels not only in the Sahtu but right across the territory. I had not thought about this discussion particularly previous to today, but I do have no problem whatsoever discussing the issue with them. I don’t know if I’ll be able to actually have any face-to-face meetings with the seniors.

The health concerns of all citizens in the Northwest Territories, including the citizens of Sahtu, are of importance to the Department of Health and Social Services. So if we are able to do it without going for a supp at this time, I am able to commit to looking at that. If it is more elaborate than that and there has to be a supplementary appropriation requirement before we can do this, then I would have to discuss that with other Cabinet members and the House before we can proceed with that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know if this particular type of virus is going to be investigated, but the Health department will be working with the Canadian Institute of Health Research, to do some research work in Fort Good Hope to look at some cancer screening and some things like water, diet and other things that may be impacting on the rates of cancer in the Sahtu. So we will be working in a couple of communities, one of them being Fort Good Hope, looking at doing some research looking at what may be causing the high rates of cancer. Thank you.

I welcome feedback from the NWT seniors. I have met with them in the past in this capacity and intend to meet with them next month in this capacity again. At that time my thought is that I think the seniors would meet with the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation to discuss this issue. I’m also prepared to discuss that issue as the Minister who represents the seniors. Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I have a meeting set up with the NWT Seniors’ Society on the 21st of March. Previously when this discussion had come up at the Seniors’ Society, in different capacities that I served as I met with the Seniors’ Society, they had indicated that they did not have an issue with seniors rent through that society. I have not been involved in any form of consultation with the seniors that are in public housing.

The department can communicate with the health and social services authority in Norman Wells, and in turn, the health and social services authority can advise people in the community. I think the department and nurses are aware of what the symptoms would be for the H. pylori, so they could have the people come and communicate with people to see if individuals could come into the health centre to be tested. Thank you.

I know the department has worked with a group in the past to do this very specific testing in Aklavik. I will go back to the department to see what it takes in order to do these tests in other communities, and if it’s not an issue that... If it’s something we can do right away, we can get to it. But I don’t know the amount of work it would take, so I would like to go back to the department to have that discussion before I can make a commitment on the floor that we’re going to be able to do these tests in all the communities in Sahtu. Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. As a government, we know that the rates of substance abuse are far too high amongst our residents and we need to take action. Substance abuse contributes to crime rates and is a cost-driver in the health care system. It also takes a terrible toll on our communities and our families.

In my travels through the communities over the past few months, I have heard repeatedly that we need to find more efficient ways to help our people with addictions. There is no one approach that works for everyone. We need to develop and offer a range of options within our system to help...

It will form a part in the Mental Health Strategy. The idea of the program, once it’s been reviewed, piloted, evaluated, the idea is that the department plans to expand the program right across the territory. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the things that the department is doing is offering community counselling programs in every region in every community. So the counsellors and wellness workers are available to assist youth, and youth who are showing problems, and emotional problems, and having emotions in dealing with issues of being bullied in schools. Thank you.