This is page numbers 1073 - 1100 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd 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 going.

Topics

Further Return To Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1082

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

The delivery mechanism I think that we have in mind, should it be successful in getting through the House and getting support of Members, is the new BDIC which will have regionally-focused program delivery. Largely the mechanisms used to deliver economic development lending and programs in the regions now would be those going forward, at least initially. I think there will be some evolution and some progression there as regions and communities gain the capability to deliver the programming themselves.

But we think as a transition, it would make sense to keep the current mechanisms in place and our idea would be to see our $30 million, or whatever our percentage of this money, go through the BDIC and make sure the regions are involved. Those in fact are the people who have their ear to the ground and are working with people in communities and understand the needs in these communities. It would be my preference that those are the ones reviewing projects.

Low interest loans are certainly a very good idea. I think we are more likely to look at loans as compared to contributions or grants, because we can make and stretch loans farther, especially if we are able to partner with other federal agencies, with Aboriginal Business Canada, and make our money go further and help more people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to get clarification from the Minister. Did the Minister say that some of the money would be earmarked towards the business development centres in the regions? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell

Further Return To Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1082

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All this is predicated on us getting a successful agreement with the federal government. In the end, the $90 million is federal money and they could determine that there are strings to be attached or that there are criteria to be met. We have given them our preference and our suggestions; we think they are strong because the three territories are in agreement. We hope that they will see the merit in doing it in this manner. At this point I don't have enough detail to tell the Member exactly the mechanism that we would use, other than to say if we get our hands on this money, the regions will certainly be involved in program delivery. It doesn't make any sense to have headquarters making determinations on the viability and validity of projects in the regions when they are not in fact there working with people on a day-to-day basis. So it will be regional program delivery, and I will certainly commit to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Question 340-15(3): Availability Of Federal Economic Development Strategy Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1082

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 28th, 2004

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David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Michael Miltenberger. I go back to my Member's statement when I spoke of coroner's jury recommendations on the fact that the Northwest Territories and the city of Yellowknife needs a medical detox facility. I don't know if the government and the Minister do not pay heed to coroner's juries or Regular Members, and I know it was an issue in the 14th Assembly and I know it's an issue in the 15th Assembly, Mr. Speaker. I am wondering what it is going to take for the Minister of Health and Social Services and this government to get a dedicated detox facility in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1083

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the record, I would like to note clearly that we pay very close attention to the reports from the chief coroner, and in fact we respond in detail to all the recommendations that pertain to Health and Social Services, as I did on January 20, 2003, and July 14, 2003, in regards to the two inquests and the findings. Both those referenced medical detox. I welcome the debate in this House and hopefully outside of this House the discussion about addictions and the best way to deal with addictions. We have chartered off on a course of action through our Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.

With regard to the medical detox, given our planning, given our fiscal realities, we are working with the four facilities -- Stanton, Hay River, Inuvik and Fort Smith -- to identify the number of beds in each facility to do medical detox. Clearly, Stanton, with its superior level of capacity and capability, will be the one where other patients would come to after they are initially stabilized in other communities. So we do have some capacity and that has been the approach we have taken, as opposed to going ahead to build a standalone medical detox centre. Thank you.

Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1083

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how come the Northwest Territories does not have a withdrawal management unit currently in place and, Mr. Speaker, if I could, what specifically, if a person is addicted to crack cocaine, are their alternatives in seeking treatment in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, we have capacity at Stanton to do medical detoxification for alcohol and drugs. That's what we have in place. It is not a formal withdrawal management unit but it is the capacity that we do have. There is also a social withdrawal program that is run through the Salvation Army and some local groups like Crack Busters that have started. If there is further more dedicated treatment, then we would be looking to southern jurisdictions if that is what is required, as we have done on a client-by-client basis so far. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1083

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1083

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, when he talks of having a look at the facilities that are currently in place, what is his intention on getting a withdrawal management unit? To me, that only makes sense, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to ask the Minister, when is the withdrawal management unit going to be set up here so that addicts have somewhere to turn? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in one of my previous answers, I welcome this debate and discussion. If there is a concern with the plan that was agreed to previously in terms of mental health and addictions, and there is a need to amend it after two years of having it in place, then I am prepared to look at that through the work with the Social Programs committee. As all the Members know, we have to plan around any kind of capital expenditures that may be decided on or agreed to and look at the capacity of the current facilities and the resources and the manpower. So if there is a clear indication that we are looking for a change, then, as Minister of Health and Social Services, I am prepared to work with the committee and the communities and stakeholders to see where we can get the resources and try to adjust it. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the treatment centre in Yellowknife closed in 1999. It has been an issue since the closure of that treatment centre, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister welcomes a debate, but this was brought up two, three and four years ago, and still the government hasn't addressed the need for a treatment centre. If there is a will on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, to look at a treatment centre for Yellowknife, I am wondering if the Minister will be responsive and will see to that happening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1083

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would argue that we have responded, maybe not to the Member's satisfaction or to the degree that he would think acceptable, but as we balance the many priorities, dementia units, shortage of housing, the fact that we have a budget that has to meet its fiscal targets that have been set by the Minister of FMBS, that we have responded. We responded in the best way we can with the resources we have. If there is an interest, as I have indicated, I am prepared to sit down and talk to the Members. I am prepared to talk to the

stakeholders and the communities and see what resources we could possibly reprofile or what case can be made for any kind of improvement in services, but we have made our best efforts, I believe. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 341-15(3): Need For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1084

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Question 342-15(3): Planning For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1084

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is also directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services with regards to the lack of medical detox facilities in Yellowknife and other communities. I just want to ask the Minister if he can tell us, the Members, and the public in general, in the five-year capital acquisition plan of the GNWT, going up to 2008 or 2009, there is approximately $60 million that is allocated for capital infrastructure requirements. That is not counting all this extra money that they are getting out of the federal government when the new health care reform comes through. I am just wondering if the Minister would consider or why is he not considering putting a formal medical detox centre on the capital acquisition plan in the next five years. Thank you.

Question 342-15(3): Planning For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1084

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 342-15(3): Planning For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Question 342-15(3): Planning For A Medical Detoxification Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1084

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to have that debate about the best approach, the numbers, the need, and is it the best course of action and the best investment to build a separate, standalone facility, or is it best to look at expanding the service at Stanton, and what is possible in Hay River, Inuvik and Fort Smith. The money that is allocated in the capital plan is clearly identified for urgent capital projects across the Northwest Territories. We have yet to find out the final numbers of what is available from the federal government for the new health care money. When that comes in, of course, we will be considering this issue along with many others in terms of how to best spend whatever funds may be available. Thank you.