Robert Hawkins

The Minister and I have spoken at length regarding this issue that the Northwest Territories requires a detox centre. As I’ve spoken to him, and sometimes I think he even agrees, that Stanton itself, by virtue of its design, is not a detox centre for people who have addictions. That’s the type of focus I continue here, and relentlessly want to pursue and see the government take on that challenge. Nats’ejee K’eh, with all due respect, does not suit that type of need.

When will the department start planning for an appropriate treatment centre, as I’ve discussed here today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue my Member’s statement with some questions on the issue of a territorial addictions treatment centre that is much needed in the Northwest Territories and as and I’ve talked to the Minister of Health and Social Services on a number of occasions. I’ve talked about although it would be nice to have one here in Yellowknife, the fact is if you’re behind this issue, which means you want to support this issue, a territorial treatment centre could happen in any region in the Northwest Territories. It doesn’t have to happen here. I mean, the criteria comes...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The need could not be greater than now for a territorial treatment centre here in the Northwest Territories. As we all know far too well, drugs and alcohol continue to have a profound impact on Northerners’ lives. It’s time for this government to get behind a detox centre, which will help the drug and alcohol problem that many people suffer from.

I’ve come to see the drug and alcohol problem kind of like an iceberg. You know, you can look far off and see the surface of the problem, but you never fully realize the size, the magnitude, what truly lies underneath the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to commit to getting me those numbers I asked about earlier, and at the same time would he be willing to provide me with a complete package of what people would use to fill out, whether it’s an application process or a package? Would he be able to provide that to me? Finally, if he could update the House as to do the staff at ECE actually support employers in filling out this probably lengthy package of information.

I appreciate the update from the Minister regarding how many people have applied. Maybe he could repeat it for the House, to be clear. In the last two years how many people have actually applied at the program and how many people have been successful through the program and been supported by the Nominee Program? Thank you.

For my final question, and it’s really built around to where do we go next. If we can get this Grubstake Program in place, tie it to a training program and initiative, it only makes sense if it follows suit with a resource development policy. I think that’s a critical component to make sure that this three-legged stool stands or else it will tip over. It’s all linked together in a broader, longer term vision. What does the Minister see in tying these three things together to make sure that we do have a future that’s open for business, just like our territories to the right and left of us...

I appreciate the answer from the Minister. I’d say what better way to show the industry, the prospectors and largely the mining industry that we’re committed to a mining future here. This issue is not singularly sung by myself. Is the Minister getting feedback from many of those in the mineral development community saying that this is something that will help kick-start further exploration in the Territories and, if so, what hurdles or challenges does the Minister see in bringing this policy forward so that we can help seed the Grubstake Program again?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to use my Member’s statement to talk about the Prospectors Grubstake Program. Decades ago, as many of us will know, there were hundreds of little-known prospectors wandering through the Northwest Territories looking for that special find. Some of those prospectors used every single resource that they could scrounge together and find their special stake that would strike them rich.

In the ‘30s we remember Gilbert Labine and C.E. St. Paul who discovered uranium in the Great Bear Lake area, as well as in 1934 many of us have heard of the name of Johnny Baker...

I would hope the Minister would be able to get that information to me so I can help with others. As I say, help with others. Many people wonder how to access the program. One of the issues that constantly come to me is what type of advertisement or promotion does the department do to indicate it’s open for business and is willing to help process applications on the Nominee Program? People need to know where to go and what to do. What does the Minister have to say about accessibility?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question will be to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding the Nominee Program. Last night, as every night, of course, I was watching, with great interest, Northbeat. I watch it every weeknight, with Randy Henderson at 6:00. That promotion was free, by the way.

I really enjoyed the coverage on the Nominee Program in the Yukon Territory. It reminded me of how I supported the establishment of the program here in the Northwest Territories. I think it’s very important to acknowledge that the work was being done quite significantly to bring this...