Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I raised the issue of the health of our young people and ways that we could improve that. Certainly I’d like to think of it as a way that we could develop a strategy over the next little while and certainly launch an ambitious plan that would be relatively cost effective but deliver great results, and that plan is coming up with a strategy for multivitamins for our youth and it could be implemented in such a way that day homes could access this, daycares and certainly provide it to our school districts so our young kids can have access to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue questions with the Minister of Health and Social Services on the area of medical travel and services provided to our constituents. Part of the issue here is that we go to great pains to provide medical services to people who self-inflict particular issues to themselves, whether it’s through alcoholism or drugs. We have people with weight-loss problems and diabetes problems. who the Minister is saying are exempt from the policy. I think that’s wrong, because people are burdened with an unfair chance and we don’t provide them the support.

I’m trying to...

Mr. Speaker, the Minister quite often underrates her authority as Minister and I think she could be in charge on this particular problem. We are talking about medical travel that was approved. Regardless of how it got into the system, the fact is people start to depend on these both emotionally, physically, psychologically. These become major setbacks when all of a sudden one day you’re told your illness is no longer important for us to care about because it’s not on our list.

Mr. Speaker, in short, these are medically supported by doctors and even the Minister says exceptions can happen. So...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today I talked about the insensitive Medical Travel Policy that is not responding to needs suggested by doctors for serious and necessary treatment. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is: will she investigate these denials for medical travel and medical support and see if we can grandfather these into the system until we have true, fair and honest treatment available here in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say on the record that I support the long-term vision of an independent college/university established here in the Northwest Territories and hopefully that the independence, what I’m referring to is a Yellowknife Campus. Mr. Chairman, I’m a little cautious that we would have a mass exodus out of the Northern United building, which at present the college in Yellowknife is located. I would caution, you know, both the department or any Member suggesting that we should jump out of that, only because we have to keep in mind what we’re doing. In that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The 2008-2009 annual report was the fifth report of the Human Rights Commission. The committee recognizes the effort and accomplishments of the commission.

The commission used a variety of methods to provide information on human rights to communities. An essay contest was held for students in grades 7 to 12. Students were asked to describe a role model who exemplifies the human rights principles of inclusivity, diversity, peace, and respect. Awards were given to both essay winners and role models. As well, 10 presentations and workshops were...

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to what solutions and considerations will come out of that. I think it would be a step forward and certainly an empowerment.

Mr. Chairman, on this section here, the last area I think at this time or, sorry, the second last area was student loans. Another colleague of mine, I believe Mr. Ramsay, has raised this issue before. I certainly agree with the issue. Under the student loans program, has the department ever contemplated building into a program that helps buy student loans back? What I mean by that is, if we are struggling in a particular area of staff...

I appreciate that answer and I look forward to the next step of where that will go.

Mr. Chairman, one of the issues that comes up from time to time is under income support assistance. The government does not allow a telephone as part of an allowable expense, and I’m trying to get some rationalization as to why that wouldn’t be included as a real expense. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, I’ve got a couple of areas I’d like to ask some questions about, or tackle. One of the issues that I’ve been in contact with the Minister is regarding home heating fuel for seniors, elders that live on the land just outside of Yellowknife core but still live within the city limits. They don’t live on your traditional legal land, as such, that’s gone through the normal process of land tenure. Does the seniors home heating subsidy take that into account, that we have people who are living, to some degree, a more traditional lifestyle than living in the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Would the Minister provide the following details specific to inclusive schooling funding particular detailing each community and school districts over the past three years including the projected trends for the next two school years:

How many students are categorized as inclusive students that require one-to-one support that would not otherwise be able to attend school safely?

How many students are categorized as special needs students that require special assistance with modified school plans?

How much...