Ms. Mike. Second supplementary.
Debates of Dec. 13th, 1991
Topics
Further Return To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 98
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister aware that most of the communities in the Baffin Region did not agree with the abstention clause but felt they had to sign in order to obtain the funds for the purpose of dealing with people who have drug and substance abuse problems?
Supplementary To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Further Return To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are only two groups that are disagreeing with the present policy, and I think the problem warrants the position that this government is taking.
Further Return To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to Mr. Whitford. We are all aware that many health centres that we visit give gifts; for instance, I go to my dentist and he gives me a toothbrush sometimes. I would like to ask the Minister of Health, in his new portfolio, whether he intends to continue the practice of giving visitors to his department free condoms of various shapes, sizes and colours and so on.
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Minister of Health.
Return To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not at the present time, Mr. Speaker. The supply is low.
Return To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.
Supplementary To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
I am very impressed that the supply is low because that means it has been a very successful service, Mr. Speaker.
---Laughter
My supplementary question is to the same Minister, in his new role as the Minister of Health. Will he continue to play the same role as he has played for many of the years that I have known him, in distributing candy to young children, which we all know can do damage to young children's teeth?
Supplementary To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Further Return To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, this must be Friday. If I recall, when I was across the way, we had to try to keep things light on Friday, but I think that I will continue the practice of having a candy dish in my office. Any Member of the public that visits my office, or any Member of the cabinet that visits my office, is quite welcome to continue to help themselves, if they so choose. I am not forcing this on anybody. It is available. They are adults and they can make that decision. The answer to that is yes.
Further Return To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.
Supplementary To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
In view of this new climate of restraint that we find ourselves in, has the Minister any plans to extend various free services that that department has provided to the public in the past?
Supplementary To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Health.
Further Return To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
I am not certain. I think that a lot of the services that this government provides to the public are free. Health-- if it necessary, it is given to those that need it. I am not certain exactly which area he is referring to. But if he is getting back to the candy dish again, I buy that out of my own pocket; it is not being provided by this government. It is being provided out of my own pocket.
As far as the condoms are concerned, I have no idea who paid for those. Maybe the former Minister provided those. I think there are a lot of services that this government provides to the public that are free; if that is a necessity, we will continue that until further notice.
Further Return To Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Question O88-12(1): Free Condoms From Department Of Health
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.
Samuel Gargan Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a concern I have with regard to legal aid. In the report, "Strength at Two Levels," on page 55 it refers to legal aid being provided in block fees rather than on the basis of what the lawyer's time is spent on a particular case. In other words, block fees refers to maybe a $2000 fee that is made available for a certain case. Regardless of whether or not the lawyer spends up to that time, if he spends anything beyond that he is not going to be paid for it. So I have a concern that justice will not be done if that recommendation is followed. It does restrict the lawyer from working on cases that require more time. Has the Minister thought about that?
Question O89-12(1): Legal Aid In Block Fees
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Madam Government Leader, will you take this question?
Return To Question O89-12(1): Legal Aid In Block Fees
Question O89-12(1): Legal Aid In Block Fees
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, no, we have not got that far into detail on the report at this time. Thank you.
Return To Question O89-12(1): Legal Aid In Block Fees
Question O89-12(1): Legal Aid In Block Fees
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mr. Koe.
Question O90-12(1): Assistance To Victims Of Violence And Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Fred Koe Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. The issue of violence in the NWT is a serious concern and there is movement to assist victims of violence and abuse. There are many local groups and societies that have been formed in the NWT to assist in this service. Is this issue one of the priorities of the Minister's department?
Question O90-12(1): Assistance To Victims Of Violence And Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Return Question O90-12(1): Assistance To Victims Of Violence And Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 99
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to the Member's question, I take violence and programs that try to assist in resolving that, or assisting
people to deal with that, as very serious. I have not set priorities on the numbers of issues that come before me in both the portfolios that I have, but I take the issue of violence very seriously, and I want to assure the Member that if there is a concern that I am not doing so, then you must bring it to my attention. But, yes, I do take that seriously. I have not prioritized it in relation to the other programs that we are dealing with at this point, but it is high on my list.
Return Question O90-12(1): Assistance To Victims Of Violence And Abuse
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 100
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Koe, supplementary.