Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is important that our youth be encouraged to pursue their education or careers. Their own future prospects and those of the Northwest Territories rest upon an educated and skilled population in the years ahead. Unfortunately, a number of young students and workers are having difficulty pursuing these activities because they must look after their babies or those of other family members. This must be addressed so that students or single mothers and other family members can continue their education or jobs.
Debates of Nov. 29th, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 28-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 23, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 268
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Committee Motion 29-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 24, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
November 28th, 1993
Page 268
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee recommend that measures to establish in-school and workplace child care services for young parents should be encouraged and supported. Thank you.
Committee Motion 29-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 24, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 268
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 29-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 24, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 268
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 29-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 24, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 268
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 29-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 24, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 268
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think we do acknowledge that there are facilities of this kind in place in some schools already. I think that has been acknowledged before.
The Northwest Territories needs a permanent solution on the issue of child care. The current system suffers from too few spaces, no resources for capital improvements, insufficient operating grants, and too little staff training, among other problems. We can no longer afford to carry on with interim policies. The stakes are too high. Public consultations should be held to determine needs and to identify the elements of a lasting solution.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 268
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that a permanent child care policy must be established. Thank you.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you, Mr. Patterson. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Lewis.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
I just wonder if there was a particular purpose in having the word "permanent" in there? I would have thought that a child care policy is a policy which sticks. You may want to change it a little bit. But I don't see a clear reason why you have to have that word in there.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Can we have clarification from the Member of the special committee, Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reason the motion was worded in this way is we understand that the government's current child care policy is called an interim child care policy. "Permanent" is seen as the opposite of "interim." That's the reason for this motion, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you, Mr. Patterson. To the motion.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 30-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 25, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We originally planned to prepare a legislative action paper on child welfare. However, the Departments of Justice and Social Services assured us that this would be completed by the fall session, based on the recommendations of the family law review. As a result, we chose not to pursue this issue ourselves. We remain disappointed at the apparent lack of progress in implementing the recommendations of the Family Law Review. The proposed reforms are too important to let slip away. We support the work done to date and we urge that it be continued on a priority basis.
Committee Motion 31-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 26, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that the recommendations of the family law review must be implemented quickly. The new legislative framework should be presented to the Legislative Assembly by March 31, 1994. Thank you.
Committee Motion 31-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 26, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you, Mr. Patterson. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 31-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 26, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 31-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 26, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 31-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 26, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Foster homes and parents should be selected on the basis of the quality of care likely to be provided the children. The rules governing the selection and monitoring of foster homes should be reviewed. The system should focus less on technicalities and more on finding a safe and responsible home environment for children in need. Greater attention should also be placed on the needs and concerns of foster parents. They should be provided with as much information as possible about the children placed in their care. There is an ongoing need for support and training for foster parents.
Committee Motion 32-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 27, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that new and more practical criteria governing the selection, development and monitoring of foster homes must be developed.
Committee Motion 32-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 27, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 32-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 27, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 32-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 27, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Dent, proceed.
Committee Motion 32-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 27, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 269
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We often heard people talk about children as being our future here in the NWT. As we travelled, we saw that some of our children need help if they are to live up to their potential to contribute to this future. Regional and local staff who see children in need of early intervention to address their special needs need to know where to go for the expertise and funds to be able to help. For those who might be missed in an early intervention program, and to deal with problems which might occur later, Social Services should be encouraged to put staff in schools to work with teachers to assist young people at risk.
In a time of tight money, one obvious source of funds for such intervention is the federal brighter futures program. Prompt action to make these funds available to NWT communities is absolutely necessary. Mr. Chairman, as a side note, I understand that such a deal with brighter futures has now been signed and that the program is now available in the Northwest Territories. The committee congratulates the government on taking such action. I hope they will encourage communities to take advantage of the funds that are available and the programs that could be put in place through that funding. But, Mr. Chairman, that would only address part of the problem.