Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, another major area the committee focused on was issues of specific concern to elders. Mr. Speaker, elders share many of the views about health and social services that were raised by other groups during our review. But they also have a number of concerns that are unique to them and which deserve attention.

Most people view their respected elders as a valuable resource. They have much to offer our communities in the form of wisdom, instruction and counselling. But we heard that this great resource is not being used effectively in many communities. The problem seems to lie in finding the right opportunities for such involvement.

People support the idea of finding a greater role for respected elders in assisting local initiatives in dealing with alcohol, drugs and justice. They could also be involved in counselling troubled individuals and teaching traditional skills to young people through various land-based projects.

There is strong support for more local and home-based health and social services for elders. There is a need for respite care services for those who care for elders and for elders who care for others.

Overcrowding may play a role in a problem we heard about in a number of communities: the abuse of our elders, often in their own homes. This abuse may take different forms: physical, emotional or financial.

Finances in general are clearly a concern to many elders. We were told that efforts to earn extra money can help to increase self-esteem and provide an incentive to work. But the system seems to take part of that feeling away by deducting too much of this income from the next month's income support payment. We heard that current income support benefits are inadequate to meet elders' needs. These needs can be greater than provided for under the social assistance program, since elders often support not only themselves but their extended families as well. This problem also exists in cases where elders care for custom adopted children. In both cases, no extra income support is available to help them meet these added costs.

Home heating is also a major concern for elders. We heard that many elders do not understand why the fuel subsidy program may not meet all of their energy needs.

The committee's recommendations address these and other concerns raised by and on behalf of elders. We offer a number of proposals dealing with their role in the community, locally-based care and greater financial independence. They are as follows, Mr. Speaker:

Recommendation 18

A government contact person on programs for elders should be designated and provided with a 1-800 telephone line so that elders have direct access to a source of information and help.

Recommendation 19

A public education program should be launched to inform people that elder abuse is unacceptable and to let abused elders know where they can find assistance.

Recommendation 20

Respite care should be available for those who care for others in the home. A plan for such a program should be included in the government's 1995-96 budget.

Recommendation 21

The adequacy of income support payments to elders should be reviewed and the government of Canada must be pressured to conduct a similar review of its own program payments.

Recommendation 22

The fuel subsidy program should be reviewed and amended as required. The program objectives and purpose should be effectively communicated.

Mr. Speaker, a large segment of our population are young people. More than half our residents are under 18 years of age. Any review of health and social services must take into account the particular issues facing these important members of our community.

Few things disturbed us as much as what we heard about the extent and consequences of child sexual abuse in the Northwest Territories. People want greater recognition, prevention and community treatment in this area.

Many of these abused and other children can find little safety or support in their own homes. We heard requests for facilities in which children can seek emergency shelter and pursue safe recreational activity.

Foster homes are another form of shelter which was raised during our consultations. People told us that there is already a lack of foster homes in general and aboriginal foster homes in particular. We heard that the criteria for selecting these homes may be so narrow that they eliminate a number of otherwise qualified homes. At the same time, we heard that the rules governing the homes themselves may not be sufficient. Foster parents receive little or no information about the children they take into their homes. Parents also receive little in the way of ongoing monitoring, training or support.

And now, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague, the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Tony Whitford, to continue with the report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, finally, an area of utmost concern to people throughout our consultation process was the area of addictions. It is believed by many that addictions are a major factor underlying many of our health and social problems. Our ability to address these problems today will largely determine the demands that may be placed on our front line workers tomorrow. This self-destructive behaviour produces physical, psychological, social, economic and legal problems. These problems affect those with addictions, their families and the community.

Our survey of front line workers identified alcohol and drug abuse as the major issue facing many of our communities. Communities wishing to rid themselves of these substances face a number of problems, including smuggling and other illegal activities. A number of other substances, including gasoline and solvents, are also readily available to those with addictions.

We were told that current treatment methods are not working. These is still a lack of public awareness, insufficient cooperation between government departments and inadequate community-based after-care programs. Treatment programs are seen as largely ineffective on their own if no other follow-up measures are provided.

Incarceration is no substitute for rehabilitation. We heard support for community-oriented solutions, including the use of health, bush and youth camps. These projects are helping people to take greater control over their lives.

People favour programs which treat not just the individual but their families as well. Respected elders are seen to have a role in providing counselling in these situations. There is also support for more effective public education activities.

We heard that gambling has become more than just a popular fund raising and social pastime. For some, it has become an addiction in its own right. It is clearly a concern to people of most communities. A number of social problems have been linked to this increase in bingo and other gambling activities. These problems may include neglect of children by their parents, people gambling away social assistance payments, absenteeism from work and from school.

The committee's recommendations in this area deal with treatment and follow-up programs, greater recognition of the potentially addictive nature of gambling and encouragement of non-governmental organizations in the fight against addiction. Specifically, they are:

Recommendation 29

More effective public education programs must be developed which outline the dangers of addiction, including gambling and solvent abuse.

Recommendation 30

Local measures to reduce the flow of alcohol and illegal drugs into our communities must be actively supported.

Recommendation 31

Land-based programs for the treatment of people with addictions, and as an alternative to imprisonment, must be established.

Recommendation 32

Local initiatives to reduce the negative effects of gambling on the community must be supported.

Mr. Speaker, this concludes our final report. I would like to thank my colleagues on the committee for their commitment and hard work and, most importantly, I would like to thank all the people who shared their concerns and ideas with us, whether by written submission, at public meetings, workshops or in private meetings.

Motion To Receive And Move Committee Report 1-12(4) To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

I would therefore move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Charles Dent, that the final report of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services be received and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Mahsi. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Your motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee Report 1-12(4) will be put into committee of the whole. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Dent.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Item 19, report of committee of the whole. Item 20, third reading of bills. Item 21, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance immediately after adjournment and a Nunavut Caucus meeting at 6:00 pm tonight. Tomorrow morning there will be a meeting of the Ordinary Members' Caucus at 9:00 am. Orders of the day for Friday, November 19, 1993.

1. Prayer

2. Budget Address

3. Ministers' Statements

4. Members' Statements

5. Returns to Oral Questions

6. Oral Questions

7. Written Questions

8. Returns to Written Questions

9. Replies to Opening Address 10. Replies to Budget Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

18. First Reading of Bills

- Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No, 1, 1994-95

19. Second Reading of Bills

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

- Minister's Statement 3-12(4), Sessional Statement

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until 10:00 am, Friday, November 19, 1993.

---ADJOURNMENT