Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we had our budget reductions and we went through the budget reduction process in the last two years, we have cut $207 million from a billion dollar budget, close to 20 percent, no other jurisdiction in this country has had to do that. We have done that. We have accomplished that and because of it, we now have fairly stable ground to move forward. I, like the Member, feel compassion for those people who would like to be with their loved ones when they are in the hospital, sick or would like to be moving with them if they have to go out to have treatment for being ill, but unfortunately, this government does not have the dollars to pay for that anymore. We do have the dollars to move the actual person who is sick to the nearest regional centre or to hospitals, but we do not have the dollars to move relatives around. I know some communities have come up with innovative ways of doing that. They have worked on their own; for example, in my riding when someone is sick and they do need relatives with them, the people go from house to house and have money donated to that family to help. That is how a community works together to help each other, and it seems to be working. Maybe other communities could follow suit. Thank you.
Don Morin on Question 507-13(5): Compassionate Travel Benefit Program
In the Legislative Assembly on May 21st, 1998. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 507-13(5): Compassionate Travel Benefit Program
Question 507-13(5): Compassionate Travel Benefit Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
May 20th, 1998
Page 1331
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
See context to find out what was said next.