Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Krutko on October 16, 2009, regarding health and social services in Tsiigehtchic.
In 2008-2009, there were 11 trips made by physicians to Tsiigehtchic, totalling 120 hours of clinic time provided to the 193 residents of Tsiigehtchic. For nine of those visits, two physicians were present.
The nurse-in-charge (NIC) visited every Thursday, for 7.5 hours. During the spring thaw and winter freeze-up, the NIC resided in Tsiigehtchic. For 2008-2009, the NIC remained in the community from April 8 until June 3, 2008, and from October 17 until December 5, 2008.
There were 17 visits during 2008-2009 by social workers, totalling 260 hours spent with clients in Tsiigehtchic, with a further 73.5 hours spent with Tsiigehtchic clients outside of the community.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a listing of the dates of all the visits made by the physicians and social workers.
The Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority use locum and casual staff to fill any vacant positions. Currently, 15 percent of positions are unfilled. The funding allocated for these positions is used to hire locum and casual staff to ensure that the services are provided. The extra cost incurred in having temporary staff travel north and into the communities exceeds the budget set aside for the compensation and benefits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to use this occasion to do a special acknowledgement. Mr. Speaker, I have a special constituent of mine who is approaching his 95th birthday this Saturday, November 7th. The person can be easily described as a northern renaissance man of his time. He has been a fur trader, a trapper, a general contractor, a pilot and, recently, an author. The person I am referring to is our well-respected Mike Krutko, father of our Member, David Krutko.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, Mike Krutko may appear as a senior in his well-weathered aged body, but I can certainly tell you very few people have ever reached his milestone with such energy and fire for life. Mr. Speaker, he is both interesting and charming and full of energy.
In closing, I certainly look forward to being here in this Assembly in five years to announce his 100th birthday, because I know he will easily make that milestone. But until then, Mr. Speaker, may I wish Mr. Krutko a great birthday. He certainly deserves it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document titled Northerners Working Together: Fulfilling our Plan. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document titled Creating a Brighter Future: A Review of Electricity Regulation, Rates and Subsidy Programs in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two documents to table. The first one is the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services System Annual Report, 2007-2008. The second one is further to my Return to Written Question 1-16(4), which is a document entitled Physician and Social Worker Visits to Tsiigehtchic, 2008-2009. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, I have a document that I want to table. It is the company service of the Arctic Red Outfitters Ltd.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, November 9, 2009, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories contribute $50,000 to support Northwest Territories seniors’ participation in the Canada 55-plus Games in August 2010; and further, that the government consider providing funding through the Northwest Territories Sport and Recreation Council to ensure the ongoing participation of the Northwest Territories seniors at future Canada 55-plus Games.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on Thursday, November 5, 2009, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, January 27, 2010;
AND FURTHER, that any time prior to January 27, 2010, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called.
---Carried
The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS Northwest Territories seniors have participated in the Canada 55-plus Games since 1998;
AND WHEREAS more than 100 Northwest Territories seniors from a variety of NWT communities have expressed an interest in participating in the Canada 55-plus Games in Brockville, Ontario, in August 2010;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has previously contributed towards the costs of the Northwest Territories seniors’ participation in these events;
AND WHEREAS assisting seniors in keeping active and engaged in healthy activities is entirely consistent with the 16th Assembly’s stated goal of healthy, educated people through a focus on prevention and promotion of healthy choices and lifestyles;
AND WHEREAS Northwest Territories seniors are not asking the government to cover all of the seniors’ costs and are simply seeking a small contribution toward these costs;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories contribute $50,000 to support Northwest Territories seniors’ participation in the Canada 55-plus Games in August 2010;
AND FURTHER, that the government consider providing funding through the Northwest Territories Sport and Recreation Council to ensure ongoing participation of the Northwest Territories seniors at future Canada 55-plus Games.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called.
---Carried
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010, be read for the first time. Thank you.
Bill 8 has had first reading.
---Carried
The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) No. 2, 2009-2010, be read for the first time.
Bill 9 has had first reading.
---Carried
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Summary Conviction Procedures Act to provide that a justice may enter a conviction and impose the specified penalty where a person who has been summonsed to appear before the justice by way of ticket fails to either pay the specified penalty or to appear as summonsed.
The maximum fine for failing to appear before a justice as required is increased, and formalities relating to information are clarified. Minor amendments are also made to ensure consistency of terminology. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 7 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.
---Carried
The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Thank you.
Bill 8 has had second reading.
---Carried
The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) No. 2, 2009-2010, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for operations expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Thank you.
Bill 9 has had second reading.
---Carried
