Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 6-28, we have health promotion contributions. Again, a couple of days ago, we were discussing the issue of population health and the need to switch from treatment to the prevention model. I am just wondering why we have not seen any growth in this. I guess when I look back to the 2000-2001 actuals, you can see that there has actually been a 25 percent reduction in the past two years in the amount of money put into health promotion contributions. I think it is absolutely important that we spend more money to encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy children. I am sure the Minister would agree, so why are we not seeing more of an emphasis placed in this area?

The Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this budget is in its final approval process. What I would commit to as we move into the business planning cycle in March is that this is an area that I agree with the Member and the other Members that have raised this issue. It is an important one that I would hope to be able to demonstrate in the business plans. Working with the committee and the Members, we can recognize that and address the issue that my colleague has raised. Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Minister's comments and will look forward to working with him to see the increase in this area. Thank you.

Community health programs, total contributions, $38,242,000.

Information item, active positions, boards of management, active positions.

Details of work performed on behalf of others, page 6-32. Total department, $20,496,000.

Page 6-34, revenues, recoveries and transfer payments, information item. Page 6-7, Department of Health and Social Services, department summary, operations expense, total operations expense, $199,882,000.

Capital acquisition at the back, CAP-10, capital acquisition plan, community health programs, total community health programs, $2,825,000. Mr. Bell.

Thank you. I would like to ask the Minister, in this activity and project, is this where I would see any alcohol and drug facilities if there were any scheduled for this year?

The Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If the Member is referring to construction of new facilities, yes.

Mr. Bell.

Thank you. I am wondering if we have any construction of new facilities going on this year, or maybe say in the next three years going forward? Does the Minister have any construction of any new alcohol and drug facilities on the plan?

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this point, we do not. We recognize as we conclude the Addictions, Mental Health and Family Violence Strategy, that there are requests and demands out there. That has been touched on by some of my colleagues up the valley, including yourself, Mr. Chairman. We want to look at facilities. We have to factor that particular component in. There are no plans to build new alcohol and drug facilities at this point. Thank you.

Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess we are waiting for the alcohol and drug strategy. At that time, I would assume we will talk about the approach we want to take and the philosophy that we buy into with alcohol and drug treatment, whether or not we are going to get into residential treatment or stay away from it.

I would just like some assurance from the Minister that if in fact the alcohol and drug strategy indicates that we do need to look at residential facilities, this will be one of the things he moves to the front of his priority list. As I understand the new capital planning process, it should look at things like schools, hospitals and treatment facilities and put a high priority on these items. I would like some assurance from the Minister that he will be looking for this when the alcohol and drug strategy comes forward and that this will be on his radar. Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services.