David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Pat Thomas with the NWTTA. Welcome back, Ms. Thomas.

--Applause

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to clarify for the record first that it is not a separate portfolio, but it is an assignment, an important one geared to youth, but it is different than a portfolio. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of great concern not only to my colleague, Mr. Ootes, but I think to all people in this Assembly, as well as northerners. While there are not any substantive new resources, what we are attempting to do is bring greater clarity to the money that is spent in the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

As well, I am going to be meeting in the very near future with my colleagues in the social envelope committee. When we look at our budgets, very clearly there is a significant amount of money that we spend as a government dedicated to youth. Our purpose is going to be to try to bring that together in a more coordinated way. As well, I have already met with our Member of Parliament, Secretary of State for Youth, to look at what initiatives we could jointly partner up in such as tobacco cessation and possibly FAS/FAE initiatives. While we are at early days in this particular issue, there is work being done and we intend to hopefully be able to report back to this House in the not too distant future with some more concrete plans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I understood the Minister to say that they are looking at the possibility of resources in his own and other departments. Does he envision some sort of dedicated number of public servants to address this issue?

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While it is still early on in this process, the intent is to try to bring greater concrete form to how we deliver services for youth using the existing resources and staff that we do have. What that exactly will translate to at this point, I cannot give you a definitive answer. We are looking at trying to bring sort of a more one-window approach and a co-ordinated effort with the other social envelope partners in this particular area.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are naturally all sorts of areas that could be looked at, and I can approach this through a number of questions perhaps if I get an opportunity to ask again. My initial one would be with respect to the social problems that seem to be there among some youth, such as substance abuse and single people's pregnancies and so forth, is the Minister intending to address those kind of issues, is it that intent?

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my colleague has indicated, there are a wide range of issues related to youth. While we may not be able to deal with all issues, our intent is to try to bring some focus to those kinds of issues. I would like to point out, as well, that we would be very interested, I know I would as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, be very interested in working closely with the Members opposite to, in fact, bring this kind of clarity to this very important issue. Thank you.