Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, want to congratulate MLA Yakeleya for bringing forward this private member’s bill. He is responding to the concerns of his constituents and it’s a good thing to do, and I know how much work is involved in getting to this point. I’d also like to thank the residents of all the Sahtu communities for their hospitality, for their stories and the sharing that they did with us as we travelled through their communities at the public hearings.

Alcohol, addictions, drugs, all of that, this is a really difficult issue. We talked about that earlier today. And it’s not a...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee resume consideration of the Department of Transportation department summary on page 9-2.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to deal with Bill 24 and Committee Report 7-17(4).

To the Minister, I guess I’m feeling very puzzled. I’m sure my face looks puzzled. I don’t think that this is a difficult thing to tell us exactly what you are doing. There are 67 recommendations in this report. The Minister says they’re following the plan. Well, I want to know how you’re following the plan. There is any number of things in there that could be done sooner than other things in there.

Can the Minister give me some indication of two or three things they are trying to do first before they do the other 63 or 64?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement.

I spoke about the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan 2012-2015, which was brought forward about a year and a half ago, and then I also spoke about the Minister’s Forum report. I’d like to know from the Minister with regards to the Minister’s Forum report and all the recommendations that are within it, can I get an update on what the department is doing in terms of those recommendations, what kinds of actions are they taking, are they...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On June 12, 2012, the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan 2012-2015. One year later, June 3, 2013, the Minister’s Forum on Addiction and Community Wellness Healing Voices report was tabled.

A year ago, as the Minister was setting up this forum, I rose in this House and I complained about the lack of action on the issue of addictions by the Department of Health and Social Services. I felt that the Minister should be taking action, not consulting. Now, one year later, I’m again complaining about the lack of action on...

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 107-17(4), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2014-15, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 107-17(4) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We do, if we can hear from Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That certainly helps. I thank the Minister for that explanation, but it sounds as though we’re starting with recommendation number one and working our way down to number 67. That’s a concern for me. Number 67 says, “Establish an advisory board with regional representation to oversee the implementation of the forum’s recommendations…provide annual reports,” et cetera. So can the Minister tell me if this advisory board is something that is on the radar within the next short time period, or is it going to be one we’ve done from number one to 66 and then we do 67? Thank you...