Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 6, 2008, in my Member’s statement I talked about this government’s limited support for youth in smaller communities. Many of our smaller communities struggle daily with little or no youth budgets. Municipal budgets are already strained with O&M and delivering essential services.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister responsible for Youth. I’d like to ask the Minister: can he advise this House what the current level of funding specifically earmarked for youth, not counting education budgets, is for 2008–09?

I talked about the costs incurred when an elder is transferred to another community, like Hay River, Fort Smith or Yellowknife. Can the Minister tell me what the total cost to the department is for one elder to be taken out of Fort Resolution and cared for in Hay River, Fort Smith or Yellowknife?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I talked about the elders facility in Fort Resolution and the need to have the department take a serious look at working with the community to maximize the use of this facility.

Today I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me when this facility was built?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not really getting the answers I’m looking for. However, if the Minister has looked at all options, would it be possible for the Minister to tell me if they have looked at the option of what it would cost to the department to upgrade this facility to be used for 24 hour care?

Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, this facility was initially planned to be a centre for 24 hour elderly care. Can the Minister tell me what the initial plans were for this facility when it was first built?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [Statement delivered in aboriginal language and then in English.]

I would like to talk about the elders facility in Fort Resolution. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I have raised this issue previously, and it is a very important issue for the communities.

Currently, ailing elders are sent out in the community for care and assistance. With some effort by the government and the community the situation can be changed to allow the elders to remain in the community. This is something the community has been requesting for a long time.

Mr. Speaker, I know this facility would require...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, many times over my first year as MLA for Tu Nedhe I spoke of our lack of programs and infrastructure for youth at the community level, specifically in my riding. On September 8, 2008, I attended the grade 12 graduation in Fort Resolution, where six graduates were honoured. This year’s graduation brings the total to 27 since grade extension started in Fort Resolution in 1999.

Of the 21 students who have graduated prior to this year, 18 of them have gone on to post-secondary education or landed themselves good paying jobs...

Can the Minister tell us when he can provide cross government details on budgets and what is being planned for the various departments under the energy initiatives? When can the Minister provide some of that detail?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I talked about some energy alternatives for the residents of Tu Nedhe. I’d like to ask the Minister of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, Mr. Bob McLeod, some questions.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell this House: are there any plans under the energy program to provide assistance to our residents for this winter?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell us if the government has had a serious look at the viable alternative of just simply providing wood stoves to people who cannot afford wood stoves? People who cannot afford wood stoves cannot get to the point where they’ll be requesting the rebate. Is there any alternative for those people who can’t afford to buy the stove upfront so they can never access the rebate?