The motion is in order, Mr. Pollard. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 24 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 2-12(3), The Justice House - Report of the Special Advisor on Gender Equality; Tabled Document 19-12(3), 1992 Master Plan for Corrections Service Division; Tabled Document 91-12(3), Northwest Territories AIDS Project - Review; Tabled Document 92-12(3), HIV and AIDS in the NWT in 1993; Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act; Bill 17, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94; Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Printing Act; Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act; Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Mining Safety Act; Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1992-93; Committee Report 10-12(3), Report on Tabled Document 21-12(3): Payroll Tax Act; Committee Report 11-12(3), Report on the Review of the 1993-94 Main Estimates; Committee Report 15-12(3), TD 33-12(2): Government Accountability: A Legislative Action Paper on Access to Government; Committee Report 16-12(3), Final Report on the Comprehensive Review of the Rules; Committee Report 17-12(3), Report on Television Guidelines; and, according to the authority invested in me by Motion 27-12(3), the committee of the whole will stay in session until it reports itself out, with Mr. Whitford in the chair.

Mr. Chairman, we hope to conclude the Department of Social Services main estimates, followed with Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act, and we will see how far we get after that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me the deputy minister, Mr. Blair Dunbar, and the director of finance, Mr. Dave Tyler. Thank you.

Alcohol, Drugs And Community Mental Health

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can the Minister provide us with an update as to the number of alcohol and drug committees which are currently funded in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are about 38 communities. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the reason I asked this was that last week there was some comment from Members regarding the department's commitment with respect to alcohol and drugs. In reviewing Hansard, the Minister indicated that it was one of the priorities of the department. I certainly hope, as the Minister, she ensures this particular issue is a priority for her department. I would like to explain why.

In 1987 there were only eight or nine programs which were funded by the alcohol and drug committee funding division, that is only eight or nine communities which were funded. The expansion to 38 communities was to indicate to the territories that there was a commitment on trying to address alcohol and drugs, along with the amount of alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities which were built in the north. In 1991 there were 38 funded. Now being 1993, there are still 38 being funded. I think the Minister should take it as the comments not being directed at her but at the department, and their commitment as a department to ensure that the addressing of the alcohol and drug division is to be maintained by the department as a priority. Therefore, I would like to make those comments. That is the type of commitment a department makes when you see an increasing trend of how to address these alcohol and drug committees, and not a trend which is stagnant or stays at the same level as they have been in the past couple of years.

To say the department has a commitment, I would question whether there is a commitment. I do not believe there is a commitment by the department officials. However, I think this is why we have political people in there ensuring that the commitment of the House is adhered to. So, I would like to emphasize to the Minister that with concerns to addressing alcohol and drugs, and particularly the abuse with respect to the rehabilitation centre, must come under her direction to the department because obviously the officials will not do it. I felt it was critical to make this comment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.