Mr. Chairman, I would expect that there would be guidelines. But given that, once we've taken care of the community and what approach we're going to take, I would say that there would only be one boss and that would compel people to work together.

Thank you. I'll be very short, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, one area that seems to attract very little attention when we talk about health issues may be because the number doesn't warrant the need to have this facility. I don't really know the term -- facility or treatment centre. But I know that in just about every community that we travelled to, we'll see some little kids and perhaps adults who require treatment from time to time. It could be on an ongoing basis, or just regular treatment.

But this is a specialized area, Mr. Chairman. I don't know if we are able to build facilities and treatment centres in each region. But I know that there is one little boy in my area who has to travel to a treatment centre once or twice a year, Mr. Chairman. I know this type of travelling for that condition could be very tedious, very tiring, and in the end, the patient could be very weak. It takes longer, much longer for a patient to recuperate; or, in this case, rehabilitate.

Mr. Chairman, my question to the honourable Minister is do we have any such treatment centres in this particular jurisdiction? If there are any, where are they located? Thank you.

I'm not quite sure, Mr. Chairman, what the Member is specifically talking about, so if he could just explain a little bit more because I think he's talking about two different things. If he could just explain a little bit more, please.

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I'm talking about when a patient is really handicapped, perhaps due to being a victim of FAS. It could be a person who cannot breathe on his or her own. It could be a person who can hardly move by himself or herself who may need treatment from time to time, to teach that person how to breathe, for example, at some kind of rehabilitation centre in a jurisdiction.

I know there is one in Hay River, but I know of a lady who lives in Taloyoak who has to travel to Hay River in order for her son to receive such treatment. That's what I'm talking about. Do we have any other treatment centres for people who are unable to breathe or are having a difficult time moving around by themselves, who may need treatment from time to time? That's what I'm asking. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, my understanding of the question is that the individuals being referred to are basically people who are caring for themselves anyway, but need some extra help. That's my understanding. To some degree, the health centres do take care of some of the physiotherapy needs. It would really depend on the extent of the treatment that is required. That is generally referred to the Iqaluit, Inuvik, Hay River, Yellowknife or Churchill hospitals.

I know we were trying to get some special programs where health care centre nurses would have extra skills and would try to deal with needs, as much as possible, at the community level. But, for centres to take those types of people...Other than Chesterfield Inlet, I'm not aware there are other centres where people can stay. I know the Member is quite right when he says there are travelling physiotherapists who do visit, but, by and large, when the required care is at a certain level, people are sent out. I think that is what the process is, presently.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My concern is basically for the patient, when a patient has to travel a long distance to another centre where specialized treatment is given. Especially in the winter, when the person is very tired, and very weak, and it may take longer for that person to get better, to recuperate. That was my concern. It was conveyed to me some time ago. I just want the Minister to be aware of it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, I have some comments to make about the Department of Health and Social Services and their programs. First of all, I want to thank the department for the workshop on healing from family violence and abuse that was held in Resolute Bay this past summer. The group consisted not just of young people, but elders as well. They helped a great deal and I want to express my thanks to these people for their help. Many people were involved in putting together and facilitating the workshop in Resolute Bay.

This was the very first of its kind in the Baffin region. The people who came up with the idea suggested that this not be the first and last one that is held in the Baffin. I was thankful that many people came forth to help out. They really did help a lot. A lot of people came away feeling much better about themselves and they were able to go home happier.

Many people came in from different communities to hold a healing workshop and it was found that it helped a great deal, for older people and others. We want to see this continued. We expect to see future workshops. There are many people who have to go through the healing process and this is just a beginning. I really wanted to express my gratitude.

On to another subject: the social workers in Resolute Bay sometimes have problems with their staff because of high turnover; for example, with receptionists. Sometimes, this causes problems. As well, the alcohol committee has been requesting their own building to work out of; their own office to operate, in case people have personal problems. At least they would be able to service these people within the confines of their own offices, rather than relying on the hamlet office to give them space.

Perhaps people are embarrassed to seek professional help for their social problems. This can be a barrier to people who need their help because there are many different employees in that building. For example, if a person has an alcohol problem or a drug problem, even if they were willing to seek professional help, it is difficult to expose yourself to all kinds of different employees.

There is a building that is available that belongs to the government. It has not been in use for many years and they have requested the building for their own to hold meetings with people. This is common sense, but we have never received a response from the government. They are trying to work out a solution, but as of this date, nothing has been done. The alcohol committee that deals with alcohol and drug problems, requests some help. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Line By Line

Health And Hospital Boards

Mr. Chairman, the issue of those particular areas, in my discussion with the Minister of Finance, what we had done when we went forward with these suggestions we had indicated where we could get the money from; from some of the savings on travel. As it was, the figures were not detailed enough, so we're still going to proceed with

trying to...It's not in the budget here, but the Minister of Finance has indicated that when we get our figures right and a rationale right, then I will bring the submissions forward. We had anticipated that we would have some savings in the travel area that would be redirected towards those programs. So I'll be proceeding in bringing it forward as soon as we get the numbers to the satisfaction of the Minister of Finance.

Mr. Chairman, I don't have the information right here, but in the area of what the Member is talking about is the dialysis support system and we're trying to look at a couple of other areas. But I have to prove to the Minister of Finance that my figures are correct. So if the Member doesn't mind, I can provide some of the areas that we are exploring where we feel would make some sense to provide the services in the Northwest Territories rather than Edmonton.