Mr. Chairman, I will proceed with the Standing Committee on Finance recommendations now.
The first one has to do with a social services strategy. The previous Assembly approved a motion to fast track the development of a social services strategy, to guide its future program delivery based on extensive public consultation, and to enter into negotiations with communities to devolve authority for the delivery of social service programs.
The government responded by deferring to the process of reshaping northern government and the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. In addition, the department has been without leadership for some time, and has no objectives in the 1992-93 main estimates in this regard.
Given the difficult social issues faced in the Northwest Territories, this gives the committee considerable concern. We do not believe there is the luxury of time for the department to do nothing, while awaiting the results of the community transfer committee, which is only taking an organizational approach, and the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. At this rate, we may go through another couple of Minister, Deputy Ministers, and change in government while suicide, violence and welfare cases escalate instead of improving.