This is page numbers 401 - 434 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Public Perception Of Legislative Assembly Proceedings
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 404

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise a question, or give my comments on what I feel takes part in this House. Mr. Speaker, I know a lot of people who watch from other communities and from the city of Yellowknife, this program being broadcast. They see only a portion of what happens here. They do not see the other things that happen within our other meetings, committee meetings, practices, or in our offices. What they do see is what is said here in the House. Mr. Speaker, I think, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, we have to be very careful with what we say in this House and how we present it, because many people out there see only this, only what is being said at the time we are here. They take that to be the truth.

Mr. Speaker, I think a lot of things we say around here tend to be in colourful prose and using different words to try and explain something, but I raise on the point of concern that we need to, as Members, be careful with what we say here and try and represent what we are saying in the most truthful way there is. There has been many a time when people have listened to what has happened in this House and other meetings that are put out, and when you only hear a portion of what is being said, as opposed to exactly what is happening.

I think we have to be careful. I think we need to point out at certain times that we need to be accurate with what we are saying, and I know I have said things that I have heard in committee meetings that somebody said something else to me. But I grow concerned that, from time to time, we say a few things at this level, whether inadvertently or not, but can mislead the public in general.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard in other meetings about how things are said can make other people react. I think we are well aware of this. We have been in here a year and I would say that, as Members, we need to watch the way we present ourselves so that we are providing the accurate information to those people we represent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Public Perception Of Legislative Assembly Proceedings
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 405

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 108-13(4): Revenue From The Sale Of Alcohol
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 405

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a rather lengthy return to oral questions, so I hope my colleagues will bear with me. It was asked by Mr. Roland on January 23rd, with respect to alcohol and drug prevention and I apologize for the length of it.

In addition to this $15 million in appropriate funds, the GNWT receives another $579,500 through an agreement with the federal government to deliver programs directly related to alcohol and drugs. I emphasize, however, that this $15 million only represents the money dedicated to direct program delivery in the area of prevention and treatment. The amount actually spent by this government on treatment and prevention of programs related to alcohol abuse is much greater.

We all know the enormous toll that alcohol abuse takes on our communities and the direct links that exist between alcohol and many of the social programs that we, as a government and the legislature, are concerned about.

In addition to the direct program delivery costs, the Department of Health and Social Services also budgets approximately $19 million for programs which indirectly support alcohol treatment prevention and related issues. A large part of the $10 million budget for children's group homes plus the care programs and placement programs for special needs children, will go to assist children from homes effected by alcohol abuse, including those with fetal alcohol syndrome or effect. Another $8 million allocated to community wellness initiatives, family violence programs, and family counselling, will also contribute to assisting families, communities, and individuals, to deal with the impacts of alcohol abuse.

The direct spending by this government on alcohol abuse prevention and treatment programs is approximately equal to the revenue generated by alcohol sales. Indirect spending on programs that help to address community wellness and social programs more than doubles that amount. If it were possible to calculate the indirect costs associated with drug and alcohol abuse of all our government spending, it would demonstrate that the government spends several times more on prevention and treatment than the revenue received for the sale of alcohol. Thank you.

Return To Question 108-13(4): Revenue From The Sale Of Alcohol
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Thompson.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 405

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Sharon Ladd, NWT representative of Women in Trades and Technology and Ingrid Bron, the secretary administrative for Women in Trades and Technology National Network.

-- Applause.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 405

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services and it is in regards to the issue of cataloguing and consolidating the various subsidies that apply to seniors. Could the Minister indicate what the plan is at this point now that they have done the initial work to try to do the rough formula for consolidation? Thank you.

Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 405

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the social envelope departments have prepared a draft report for outlining the programs that are provided currently to seniors. Our staff did do a presentation with the NWT Seniors Advisory Council, last week. The Ministers of the social envelope, myself, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Dent, also met with the NWT

Seniors Advisory Council. We made a commitment to try to work with them and try to flesh out some of these programs and try to address some of their concerns and their issues relating to the programs that affect seniors here in the NWT, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member's statement, there are about 21 different subsidy programs that the government has, scattered across eight different departments, boards and agencies. Will the Minister be proceeding, with his colleagues in the social envelope, to come up with a way to better formulate the integrated services, as has been requested by the NWT Seniors' Advisory Council? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is one of the goals of the exercise in trying to provide better coordination. To provide some consistencies between some of the programs and to deal with the issues of fairness and equity and accessibility of these programs to seniors throughout the NWT. There will be, as I indicated earlier, a work plan put together, in consultation with the Seniors' Advisory Council, to lay out some of the time lines on some of the issues that will be discussed over the next round, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary is in regards to the involvement of the NWT Seniors' Advisory Council. The Minister indicated that he would be consulting with them on the development of the work plan. Would the Minister also indicate whether he will be involving the seniors in the ongoing work that is going to be taking place, to try to bring this particular issue to a successful resolution? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course, we are waiting currently for our staff to put together a proposed work plan, which would also include the extent of involvement the NWT seniors would have in the process. My personal preference, as the lead Minister, was to have members of the Senior's Advisory Council actually sit on some of the working groups in this review. However, it is an issue that our social envelope committee, my colleagues, will have on the table for discussion before finalizing the work plan on this matter, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister then take the specific, written concern by the NWT Seniors' Advisory Council, that they be involved in the manner suggested by the Minister of Health and Social Services, to the table with his other colleagues, and impress upon them the importance, if, in fact, they have this involvement and consultation on an ongoing basis, if this is going to be a meaningful, accepted piece of work? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, yes, I do recognize the importance of it. I believe my honourable colleagues also recognize the importance of having some direct involvement, as early as possible, in proceeding with some of its work. So, it is a matter that will be discussed and clarified in the near future, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Question 226-13(4): Progress On Consolidation Of Subsidies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Question 227-13(4): Programs For Senior Homeowners
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 4th, 1997

Page 406

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today will be directed towards the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I would like to know what programs we have available today for seniors who own their own homes and are in need of assistance in repairing their own homes? Thank you.

Question 227-13(4): Programs For Senior Homeowners
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 227-13(4): Programs For Senior Homeowners
Question 227-13(4): Programs For Senior Homeowners
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 406

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, seniors that own their own homes are eligible, as anyone else, to all the programs and services that the corporation has to offer. In addition, there is a special program geared towards repairing seniors' homes, that has been set aside for seniors only.