Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In talking to parents about the change in programming with the deletion of the funding support for respite services, you can hear a parent tell me that respite has become a pillar in their family and their support mechanism. What has happened here is that pillar has held up many problems. It has provided them respite from stress. It has provided them respite from burnout. Mr. Speaker, the problem is that this pillar is now being chipped away and torn away. The family unit is feeling the pressure of that stress and they are approaching burnout.

Mr. Speaker, many families...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item number 7, oral questions, on the orders of the day. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent denied

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t doubt that the Minister has a passion for this issue. I wouldn’t doubt that the Minister cares about this particular issue, but everything seems to be hurry up, let’s wait. Stop distracting the issue, just wait. Well, unfortunately, we’ve got a lot of families who can’t wait and proceed on blind faith.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has allowed -- and, as she said, she takes full responsibility for the department – she has allowed this cut to be proposed and she is defending the cut. So what is her plan to bridge through this cut? She could make that very clear here...

I kind of find it unfortunate that the Minister keeps saying it’s unfortunate that it was brought to us in this method. To be quite honest, Mr. Speaker, if this message of respite care wasn’t brought to us by constituents, it would be so unfortunate it would have been long gone before we ever found out.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister keeps saying it’s a distraction about trying to find out what happened. I think that’s kind of the blueprint of finding out what we can do. Mr. Speaker, where is the money for the budget year 2011-12 going to be allocated to? In short, Mr. Speaker, it has been allocated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to welcome everyone in the gallery. I’d like to specifically make note of a number of Yellowknife Centre constituents: Andrea Stewart, Keaton Hardisty, from the LeMay family I’d like to recognize James, Lisa, Jo-Jo and Ella. I’d like to recognize Kristy Samuelson and from the Kapolak family I’d like to recognize, Sam, Shayne and Susie. Finally, but not last, Billie-Rae Driscoll. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome everyone.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a document, or I should say it’s actually a book. It’s Too Many Espresso Beans and it’s written by a constituent of mine, Brad Hall, and he is a young man who has autism and he’s written a book to show the courage and strength he’s had and abilities to deal with the autism. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item number 7, oral questions, on the orders of the day.

---Unanimous consent denied

It’s really sad we can’t debate this line item very clear here in the House, because it’s unfortunate. It won’t be tabled before the House until February. Mr. Speaker, how much has the Minister committed to respite services to date and how much will she be committing going forward to demonstrate respite services will be protected and enshrined in our health system? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has put on record clearly that respite is a valuable and needed service. I thank her for that because it certainly makes some of these questions a lot easier.

She’s told the House repeatedly that THAF was extended by two years, which carries this government into the budget years of 2011-12. So THAF funding -- which is the Territorial Health Access Fund, for anyone who doesn’t know what THAF stands for -- started in 2009-2010 and is carried into the second year, which is the 2010-11 and, of course, now we are really coming down to what’s happening in the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the benefits of early intervention with people with autism.

The Autism Society of Canada is leading a partnership with organizations, including the federal government, to develop a national autism strategy. The purpose is to address research, funding issues, raise awareness for autism, and certainly lay out best practices for those people who care for their children and family members with autism. The strategy, I believe, can eventually lead to strengthened support for those individuals and families dealing with autism in the NWT.

As many...