Total department, $1.107, on page 14-22.

Agreed.

Page 14-23, revenues, recoveries and transfer payments.

Agreed.

Page 14-9, program summary, total O and M $187.010 million. Agreed.

Agreed.

Does the committee agree that we conclude this activity, department?

Agreed.

Thank you. I would like to thank the witnesses for appearing in the committee of the whole. Thank you.

Does the committee agree that we go to the Department of Social Services? What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Minister of Social Services, would you make your opening remarks?

Introductory Remarks, Department Of Social Services

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the Department of Social Services budget, it is 60 pages long, so I hope you will bear with me, no it is nine pages long, I am just kidding.

Mr. Chairman, the department has made significant progress in the quality of service delivery and in meeting program improvements in recent years. The major thrusts of the budget for this year are as follows:

- Improvements to the child care worker rates of pay,

- Start up funds for the operation of the new Hay River Reserve alcohol and drug treatment centre

- Provision of base funding for the fuel for seniors program, and increases for seniors supplementary benefits

- Funding for the operation of new and improved family violence shelters to open later this year, and

- Higher foster care rate payments and providing for more children in care.

In order to meet necessary budget restraint guidelines, reductions of $651,000 and 2 PYs are reflected in this budget. As I proceed through these opening remarks, I will be advising you on these initiatives as they relate to specific items under each program area.

First, however, an overview of the budget. The proposed 1992-93 Main Estimates are $92.5 million, which represents a 2.7 percent increase over the revised 1991-92 budget. In addition, approvals totalling $1.4 million made part way through 1991 for programs such as child care worker pay increases, continue to impact in the current year.

There are 430.1 indeterminate person years and 34.6 casual person years associated with this funding. Revenue for the entire department for the period is estimated at $28 million.

The budget includes $19.49 million dollars for corrections services, as well as $5.1 million in revenues from the federal government for programs such as young offenders agreement and prisoner exchange services. This division, including its 242.5 person years, has now been transferred to the Department of Justice.

Mr. Chairman, as far as new initiatives are concerned, the family and children's services activity directs and coordinates the administration of child welfare and day care legislation as well as programs related to the administration of family violence and child sexual abuse prevention services.

The proposed family and children's services budget includes additional funding for:

- Family violence shelters forced growth and the new shelter in Rankin Inlet;

- Child care workers pay increases;

- Children in care increases in rates for foster payment and forced growth for number of children in care.

The alcohol, drugs and community mental health services activity includes four program services areas:

- Alcohol and drug services to assist and support community based groups in the provision of education, preventive and treatment programs for people with alcohol and other drug problems;

- Clinical services to assist community care givers in assessing and treating children and adolescents with serious emotional or behavioural problems, other psychological difficulties, and special needs;

- Community mental health services to provide support and assistance in the provision of programs for people with mental health problems; and

- Suicide prevention services to facilitate and support community involvement and responsibility in the delivery of suicide prevention programs.

The establishment of a 30 bed alcohol and drug treatment centre at Hay River will result in increased operating costs. O and M funding in the amount of $731,000 is required to meet start up costs associated with this facility.

Some savings have been achieved in the clinical services program. One position at headquarters has been eliminated, together with the associated O and M funding, as well as contract dollars. These and other reductions save approximately $153,000.

The community and family support services activity provides services and financial assistance to aged and handicapped persons and to individuals and families in financial need.

The proposed main estimates reflect an increase in:

- Base funding for the fuel for seniors program;

- Senior citizens supplementary benefits;

- Southern placement costs for handicapped persons;

- New multi-level care facilities in Fort Smith, Arviat and Iqaluit; and

- New residences for elders in Fort Franklin and on the Hay River Reserve.

Funding for the employment enhancement agreement, which was entered into by the federal government and the G.N.W.T. in July, 1987, has been transferred to the Department of Education and Culture.

I would like to take this opportunity to address future directions for the department as several important questions were raised during the Standing Committee on Finance review. I have only been Minister of this department for a short while, but I have been meeting with senior staff in the Departments of Health and Social Services to discuss major issues and to lay the groundwork for new directions. My first consideration will be to determine ways in which certain program elements which overlap can be combined to provide greater efficiency.

I will establish a process to look at the effectiveness of particular program services. I share the concerns of my colleagues in the Standing Committee on Finance who raised the issue of family violence and particularly programs to provide treatment for the "batterers". As well as this, we discussed the importance of suicide prevention work, improving the role, and effectiveness of social workers, dealing with the alcohol and drug abuse, and encouraging health, and independent communities with devolved program services delivered by the community. These, and many more items, will be considered, and a report with recommendations prepared for Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly.

Finally, a concern that is common to us all, reasonable and fair wages for alcohol and drug workers. A report, dealing with this issue, and all other affected groups, will be presented to Cabinet and I anticipate that you will see the results of these recommendations presented to the House in the next budget to be considered by yourselves, early in the new year.

Mr. Chairman, this completes my budget presentation. I would be happy to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

We do not have a quorum. Mr. Clerk, ring the bell.

Okay, this committee will come back to order. There is a motion on the floor to report progress. It is in order, not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.

Item number 19, report of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 33, and committee report 17-12(2), and wishes to report progress, with 21 motions being adopted. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Chairman of the committee of the whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Is there a seconder to the motion? Mr. Dent. Motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 20, third reading of bills. Mr. Whitford.

Motion is in order, Mr. Whitford. All those in favour? I will do it again. All those in favour? Are you counting, Mr. Clerk? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

---Applause

Bill 9 has had third reading. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to get unanimous consent to go back to Item 12, tabling of documents.