Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

March
9
2005
Day
52
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 19: Appropriation Act, 2005-2006
Bill 21: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Chairperson’s Ruling
Committee Motion 34-15(3) To Amend Clause 5 Of Bill 17: Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 35-15(3) To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 36-15(3) To Amend Clause 8 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 37-15(3) To Amend Clause 9 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 38-15(3) To Amend Clause 10 Of Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits And Obligations Act, Carried
Committee Motion 39-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Day The Civil Marriage Act (Canada) Comes Into Force, Withdrawn
Committee Motion 40-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Earlier Of The Prorogation Of The First Session Of The 38th Parliament And The Coming Into Force Of The Civil Marriage Act (Canada), Defeated
Committee Motion 41-15(3) To Add $311,000 To The Highways Activity In Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005, Carried
Committee Motion 42-15(3) To Amend The Schedule To Bill 20 To Increase The Supplementary Appropriation By $311,000, Carried
Member’s Statement On 50th Annual Caribou Carnival
Member’s Statement On Beverage Container Recovery Program
Member’s Statement On Child Poverty
Member’s Statement On Consolidation Of GNWT Human Resource Functions
Member’s Statement On Housing Issues In Nahendeh
Member’s Statement On Need For Residential Treatment Centres
Member’s Statement On New Courthouse In Yellowknife
Member’s Statement On Oil And Gas Development Positions
Member’s Statement On Support For Truancy Reduction Measures
Member’s Statement On Transportation Services For Elders And Frontline Workers
Minister’s Statement 108-15(3): MACA/RCMP Co-location Initiative
Motion 32-15(3): Appointment To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight
Motion 33-15(3): Appointment To The Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board
Petition 4-15(3): Addictions Treatment Centres In The NWT
Point Of Order
Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites
Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee
Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process
Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT
Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation
Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The NWT
Question 578-15(3): Factors Of Incarceration
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential
Question 582-15(3): New Roads In The Sahtu
Tabled Document 122-15(3): Public Utilities Board 2004 Annual Report
Tabled Document 123-15(3): “Act Now” - Report Of The WCB Legislative Review Panel
Written Question 81-15(3): Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program
Written Question 82-15(3): New Courthouse In Yellowknife
Written Question 83-15(3): Management Assignment Program
Written Question 84-15(3): Rental Costs
Statements

Member’s Statement On Need For Residential Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The subject of my Member’s statement today is addictions. I have come at this addictions issue from a variety of different angles and today I have another one. The North Slave Correctional Centre is located in the riding of Kam Lake. Being that Kam Lake is the riding I represent, I get to speak with many persons who are incarcerated at North Slave Correctional Centre. Just last spring, I was presented with a petition from the inmates in regard to the health services that were being provided at the centre. The Department of Justice made the necessary changes to the delivery of health services, and today I believe this came about because the inmates at the North Slave Correctional Centre spoke up about the situation.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a petition that has been signed by 98 inmates from North Slave Correctional Centre. The petition calls for the government to address the need for treatment centres being reopened here in the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank all the inmates that signed the petition, and especially the ones that I have spoken to personally.

I believe that no one really wants to be in jail and certainly there are many obvious reasons why people end up in jail, but a common denominator is often addictions to alcohol and drugs. The more that this government can put into being proactive in fighting addictions, the better off we will be and the less we will have to spend being reactive.

I have heard the Minister of Health and Social Services speak of the need to be working with community groups to look at getting some type of residential treatment centres reopened. These centres do not have to be government issue, multi-million dollar cost overrun facilities. They only have to become a reality. I believe it should be a collaborative effort between government and the interested community groups and I look forward to watching closely to how this government will accomplish the goal of getting residential treatment centres reopened for addicts.

We will have to pay attention to what our residents need to help them combat their additions. If we don’t, then we should start planning another jail because, Mr. Speaker, we will need it. Thank you.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Hear! Hear!