Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.
Debates of March 2nd, 1992
Topics
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
The Speaker
Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some 42 programs across the Territories that deliver alcohol and drug treatment and help people in need in that area. No, I have not consulted each and every one. I have received a number of letters from some of the centres in support of it. As I said yesterday, or Friday, some 36 of the committees have already submitted their proposals for the 1992-93 budget. So there seems to be good response to our program.
Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
The Speaker
Supplementary, Ms. Mike.
Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Mr. Speaker, is the Minister willing to admit that some organizations may well oppose and ridicule this policy but have been forced to agree with it only under the threat of funding cutbacks?
Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
The Speaker
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I know of only one alcohol and drug committee that has ridiculed it, but we have had very good support from the majority.
Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
The Speaker
Supplementary, Ms. Mike.
Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Would the Minister of Social Services be willing to put his convictions to the test by conducting and then tabling a Territories-wide survey which asks all members of alcohol and drug committees and all the professional addiction counsellors in the NWT to indicate whether they support this abstinence policy?
Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we are flogging a dead horse here. It seems to have taken on a bit of a personality thing, this whole issue. It is me and them or them and I. Mr. Speaker, I would be willing to take direction from this House. I would like to know if it could be moved into committee of the whole and discussed right here in the House. If the House is in favour of dealing with the sobriety clause in some manner, I will take direction from that.
Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
The Speaker
Final supplementary, Ms. Mike.
Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 210
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Social Services did
not answer my question. Can your department conduct a study as to whether this abstinence clause is supported by both the alcohol and drug workers and the counsellors?
Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
The Speaker
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
No, Mr. Speaker, I will not, but I would like to see this moved into committee of the whole and we will debate it right on the floor.
Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.
Question O217-12(2): Sobriety For Northwest Territories Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Government Leader. The Department of Social Services has introduced this policy of a sobriety clause through the government cabinet on the basis that the principle is to have employees who work directly with the clients set an example. To have consistency in their policy, would the Government Leader introduce this same thing to the teachers of the Northwest Territories, because they have to set an example to the students of the schools?
Question O217-12(2): Sobriety For Northwest Territories Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
The Speaker
Madam Government Leader, Ms. Cournoyea.
Return To Question O217-12(2): Sobriety For Northwest Territories Teachers
Question O217-12(2): Sobriety For Northwest Territories Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, I cannot answer that question. I know in the abstinence question that we are spending a great deal of time on, that it was first introduced by the drug and alcohol committee. We have been given a clear statement that the membership on that has not been fully instituted, and some parts of the Northwest Territories are not on the committee. I would like to take up the offer from Mr. Whitford, the Minister of Social Services, to put a paper forward for debate in the House. We can have that prepared in the next couple of days and move it into committee of the whole so that everyone can have the opportunity to speak. Thank you.
Return To Question O217-12(2): Sobriety For Northwest Territories Teachers
Question O217-12(2): Sobriety For Northwest Territories Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Social Services. Last week, the subject of the sobriety clause took up a lot of our time. I am concerned about it. I would like to know, in your opinion, what the problem is with the clause. You are the one dealing with this situation. Can you tell this House what the real problem is behind this policy? Thank you.
Question O218-12(2): Problem Behind Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
The Speaker
It is not normal to ask opinions of Ministers but, with that, Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O218-12(2): Problem Behind Sobriety Clause
Question O218-12(2): Problem Behind Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could give this a short answer by saying there are a number of different concerns about it. I would certainly like to bring forward a paper to discuss this matter in the House rather than express my own opinion. It appears that it is narrowing down to my opinion versus other people's opinions. I would be willing to do that.
Return To Question O218-12(2): Problem Behind Sobriety Clause
Question O218-12(2): Problem Behind Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.
Question O219-12(2): Abstention By Departmental Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Social Services. Regarding the sobriety policy that is to be passed, if it is passed, will your departmental staff be able to hire people that do not drink? Perhaps, right now, it is only for staff of the alcohol and drug program. The next step might be for all of your departmental staff to abstain from alcohol. Thank you.
Question O219-12(2): Abstention By Departmental Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
The Speaker
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O219-12(2): Abstention By Departmental Staff
Question O219-12(2): Abstention By Departmental Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 211
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, the abstinence clause applies only to the signatories of the contribution agreement. It is a condition that is attached to the funding for this particular program, and it does not go beyond that. It deals only with the contribution agreement and persons working within that agreement.