In some communities, I'm aware of the Katimavik Society one in Cambridge Bay, where they have a charity lease of a GNWT building, then they receive funding to provide the crisis shelter for the community. In that circumstance, in effect, the government is providing the capital residence or the capital facility for operating that program, although it's not designated outright under the Department of Health and Social Services. Is that the case in the majority of these family violence shelters?

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, the Member is correct in saying that in almost all instances, there is a lease arrangement, whether it's a charity lease or whether we're leasing a unit through the contribution agreements. But I should make a correction that we do, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, have a family violence shelter in Iqaluit which is under the ownership of the Government of the Northwest Territories. But all the other shelters are also provided facilities by CMHC, or leased.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Are you finished, Mr. Ng? Mr. Ng.

Another general question regarding elders' centres, and I'm not referring to residences now. I recognize in some communities that I've had the opportunity to go to...In Rankin Inlet, there's an elders' centre that's being constructed by a private organization, the Rankin Inlet Royal Yacht Club, I believe. They are putting together the facility, plus they're providing some of the operating funds for the elders' centre. There is one in Iqaluit; a very nice one that the Members of the Standing Committee on Finance had an opportunity to see, which is funded and provided by the Royal Canadian Legion in Iqaluit. I know in my constituency, in Cambridge Bay, the community, through private donations, from the hamlet council and from volunteer labour, have put together...And I think many of the Members have had an opportunity to see that one in Cambridge Bay. It's not a fancy unit, by any means, but nevertheless it's there. There's been a lot of community initiative to get it established, but they've been running into some difficulties, I guess, in finding the operating funds. I would like to ask, as far the Department of Health and Social Services, is it within their mandate and responsibility to address elders' needs as it relates to this type of facility where it's not specifically housing but deals with their social well-being? Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Ng. Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, in that particular category I'm not aware that the Government of the Northwest Territories has a specific program for the provision of a recreation type meeting place for elders. In all the spaces that are provided, there is generally a community space that is used by everybody, under the recreation program. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Is there any department in the GNWT, or federally, that she is aware of, that could address this type of need?

Thank you, very much, Mr. Ng. Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, I know that, in some circumstances where there is a friendship centre, often times in the funding for the friendship centre category -- I think it is with the Secretary of State -- there is a provision for a room or two for elders; it is incorporated in the overall federal plan for friendship centres. My understanding is that they continue to be cut financially, or the total contribution is still under a lot of scrutiny for cuts as we move along. I'm not aware that there is a specific program for elders in federal coffers for the type of facilities the Member is referring to.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Mr. Ng.

One final question before I give other Members the opportunity to make general comments. I would like to ask the Premier about youth, who are in a different situation in that -- from what I understand from my area -- they don't have any facilities. They don't even have a strong group of supporters or advocates for their position, except for the odd council member or maybe an MLA who is looking at their issues. I would like to ask, would it be in the mandate of this Department of Health and Social Services or some other department of our government to deal with youth issues? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, I know there are limitations on youth and we do expend some funds under the Department of Health and Social Services for drug and alcohol youth programs. We have a small contribution that can be accessed. The Minister of Education and ourselves were looking at an area, but it has become a federal funding program under the Secretary of State. This funding is handled by the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew. I know quite a number of communities have accessed that program. If I can remember correctly, there is something like $250,000 in this year's funding that hasn't been allocated at this time. But, that is a federal program, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Are you done, Mr. Ng? I would like to recognize, and I'm sure the Inuit in the House would like to recognize, Mr. Louis Pilakapsi, who is in our gallery.

---Applause

On my list, I have Mr. Gargan next.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this is one area in which I don't mind saying that Members have been quite effective, at least in the Deh Cho region. One of the main reasons for that is because we don't really have a board to deal with. When I do experience problems, I phone the Minister or even the regional director. We've been able to get assistance for medical travel, or whatever the case may be.

I would like to say that there is a program initiated by the federal government regarding the national strategy to deal with urgent health priorities of First Nations and Inuit. The whole initiative is to provide First Nations with the tools necessary to tackle the physical or mental health issues they face.

Even though we don't have a health board in the region, my health hasn't deteriorated or improved that much. Life goes on. I appreciate that the department is doing its job in delivering health in the Deh Cho region, regardless of whether we have a board or not.

I would like to see what all the regions will be deciding regarding the creation of a Mackenzie health board in the region. Naturally, if we don't create one, we will have fewer hurdles to deal with in the event that the inherent right of self-government is implemented in the region. This is the political reality in the Deh Cho region. I would like to see the region determine what is in their best interest at this point in time, and whether they decide to even consider spending a large amount of dollars necessary to create a board, when we really need to set our priorities straight because of the budget restraint.

Mr. Chairman, in Fort Providence, there is going to be a little over $1 million spent on the renovation of the health centre. I don't know how much consultation has taken place, but I know that, as part of their own community plans, there is a possibility that the existing nursing station may be required to locate to a different area. If the community decides to repriorize their agenda in the area of health, then I think the hamlets, the bands and, of course, the nursing stations should be consulted about how they feel the best way to solve the issue is.

I don't think we should be spending a large amount of money if the priorities of the community of Fort Providence have changed. I say that because I know the local hamlet band have taken a different view. The view is that a lot of commercial and business areas are all by the river banks. They feel those should be residential areas. They are looking at rezoning it. The nursing station may be too far out of the way, and they would like to see it moved closer to the centre of the community.

In the event this happens, at least that will free up some money in Providence to other areas that might need it more at this time. I would like to ask that the department consult and ensure we don't spend money now that we might spend later on.

The other thing is with regard to the Hay River group home. I don't know if that has been an issue, but there are family group homes in the capital budget. I want to get an update as to what has been happening with the group home in Hay River, and whether you anticipate further expenditures or, are we looking at some of the recommendations made by Mr. Cooper about the operation of the group home? His recommendation is that most of the people in the group homes are aboriginal people and it should be run by aboriginal people.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, we've met with the Minister of Health and Social Services on the Hay River Reserve. I would like to express my thanks to the Minister for that. But also, they brought up certain issues that needed to be addressed, and most of them were with regard to the operation of the alcohol and drug treatment centre on the reserve itself. The landscaping issue has not been quite resolved, and some of the landscaping that was done wasn't done right. I think this was brought up with the Minister and the Minister is aware of it. Of course, in the summertime, the building itself, because the limited number of opening windows, has made it quite hot. I hope that the Minister will address that somehow.

My very, very last comment is with regard to the creation of the Mackenzie Health Board. If you do decide to go ahead with something like this, I would hope that you consider Fort Providence as the operating point. Thank you.

A response to any or all of those comments, Madam Premier.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, with regard to the location of the Fort Providence health facility, there was a meeting on October 12th to discuss this with the community. The community will be meeting in relationship to setting up their town plan I think in the very near future -- I think in the next week -- and to see where they are going to be zoning. From the result of that, we will make a decision. We don't want to go ahead and do something, and then find ourselves zoned out of business. It's just a non-starter for us. So we'll be paying close attention to what the community decides on in terms of zoning.

In the matter of the group home in Hay River, this will probably change to a renovation program because in assessing the building, it looks like it has a much better lifespan than was originally anticipated. So rather than building a new one, it will probably be a renovation program.

With regard to the issue of the tenants in the group home, we realize that the majority of those tenants and clients are aboriginal people. And we're trying to move to address how we are going to staff that particular centre, taking into consideration that particular concern.

In the matter of the alcohol and drug treatment centre in Hay River, I am working with the department to see how we can resolve some of those issues that they brought up. So we're actively pursuing those concerns, and we'll try to come to some reconciliation on how we can organize the finances so that they can take care of the particular two issues you have: the one with the summer very high intensity heat problem, as well I know that some of the issues surrounding what was supposed to be done in landscaping and some of the other minor work that there is some disagreement over, I will try to get that resolved. I committed myself to do that and I will do that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. This seems like a good time to take a break. On my list, I still have Mr. Pudlat and Mr. Antoine. Before we go on, do you still have something to say, Mr. Gargan?

Yes. I would like to ask the Premier if she intends to table the report that was done by Mr. Cooper.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to check into that. I'm not really sure what's in the report or what the status of that is. I will report back to the Member.

Thanks, Madam Premier. We'll take a break. On my list I still have Mr. Pudlat and Mr. Antoine, and when we come back Mr. Whitford will be in the chair.

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