Definitely, yes. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. In regard to the community wellness programs in the communities where there are real efforts made by different community agencies to work together to try to find some mechanism, so they can consolidate all their ideas and needs, whether it is dealing with early childhood development, mental health or addictions. It is to the advantage of the community to formulate all their efforts into trying to find a central location to streamline their activities, especially where you have competing interests, as the aboriginal organizations, alcohol and drug treatment facilities, municipalities, the police and the health centres. In regard to community efforts that were mentioned by Mr. Steen and other Members, this is the only way a lot of these communities are able to carry out these activities is by putting all of their money in a pot and hopefully being able to have enough to carry out one good idea because of the limited resources they have. Often, because of having them be approved by the regional committee. They feel that on one hand you are giving them the authority to make a decision, then on the other hand there is really someone else at the regional level making the decision for you. I mentioned earlier that the whole idea of communities passing motions and petitions, that it is the way they try and express themselves in how they see dealing with the problems in their community, which they have to deal with day in and day out. I would like to ask the Minister, why could the communities not make the decision in regard to how those monies are going to be spent on their own without having to go to a regional community?
David Krutko on Committee Motion 23-13(5): To Establish A Child Advocate In The NWT Before Division
In the Legislative Assembly on February 24th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 23-13(5): To Establish A Child Advocate In The NWT Before Division
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 24th, 1998
Page 1088
See context to find out what was said next.