Debates of November 3, 2010 (day 29)
QUESTION 333-16(5): PROCESS TO DETERMINE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM FUNDING
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up from my Member’s statement earlier today when I talked about the relationship between the Minister and the standing committees on Social Programs and Priorities and Planning. How will the Minister include the Standing Committee on Social Programs? Perhaps, how is she including the committee and how will she include the committee in coming to a solution for priority funding and maintenance of respite services in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member knows that we just went through a preview of the business plan process for 2011-12. That is the normal process. We reviewed those with the Standing Committee on Social Programs. Mr. Speaker, I do admit that THAF and THSSI funding worked in a different process, because, as I said before, it is one large transfer from the federal government outside of the main budget, it had to come through supplementary appropriation.
With regard to going forward on this territorial respite care program, I would be happy to meet with the Members as soon as possible to discuss that further, because we need to add the money to next year’s budget.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister’s comments there. Just for confirmation, will the Minister recognize Members’ advice on this, that it is clearly a priority and it needs to be treated as a priority, and will she commit to bringing some solutions forward when next we meet, I believe early in December? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we always do and we will. I would be happy to appear before the committee in December. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.