Debates of May 30, 2005 (day 4)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This time I have questions for our Premier for the Legislative Assembly who is the lead on Cabinet. My questions are regarding the transfer of the TTC to Hay River. I have concerns that this decision has the appearance of being fast-tracked just to fill this building. That being said, is the process and the goal of moving the TTC to Hay River just to fill this building? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Madam Speaker, no.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to know what other options were looked at and why TTC was singled out. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Madam Speaker, I don’t understand the question of why TTC was singled out. I am not sure what the Member means. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. For more clarification, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Why did TTC reach the top of the list to be the one moved from Yellowknife to Hay River? Why was it singled out to be the only choice? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Madam Speaker, it is a territorial facility. It is the only one, to my knowledge, that we have of that kind. There were a number of factors that caused us to have a look at it, including the fact that it is a territorial facility and there is a large potential capital investment that is necessary to replace the current facility to look at how our government is meeting the economic, social and other interests of people across the Territories. So, Madam Speaker, there are a number of factors we looked at in reviewing the TTC. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe in the fall last year, we passed a motion that at least supported wholly on this side of the House about the establishment of a treatment centre in Inuvik and in Yellowknife. I don’t think it would have broken anyone’s heart here if we had to put a treatment centre in Hay River to see that facility continue its life if that was the mandate. Could we not look at other options to fill that facility without moving the TTC to Hay River from Yellowknife? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 50-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre

Madam Speaker, I am sure there are lots of options we could look at to move different programs different places. There is probably a list of 20, 30 or 50 things we could be looking at. In our case, the Territorial Treatment Centre was looked at. It was felt, when looked at all of the factors as I outlined before that we consider in making these types of organizational changes, that this was a reasonable move to make, given the responsibility we have to look after the interests of people all throughout the territory in these treatment centres. We could have put something else somewhere, I don’t know. Thank you.