Clause 44.

Repeal, clause 45.

Clause 46.

Commencement, clause 47.

Does committee agree to Bill 16 as a whole?

Does committee agree that Bill 16 is ready for third reading?

I now say that Bill 16 is ready for third reading, and thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bell, and thank you, Ms. Veinott and Mr. Vician, for attending our proceedings this evening. Thank you. I think committee has two options. One we could call it an evening or we can take a break now and come back with opening comments from the Minister. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Considering that a couple of our Members are out of the House on other duties, our numbers are a little diminished. I suggest we report progress.

Is that a motion, Mr. Braden, to report progress?

Oh, thank you. I move, Mr. Chairman, that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is in order. It is not debatable. All those in favour? The motion is carried. Oh, sorry. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Any opposed? One opposed. Oh, these guys do vote.

---Laughter

All those in favour, raise your hand. Six in favour. Those opposed? Seven opposed. The motion is defeated. We'll take a 15-minute break.

---SHORT RECESS

I will call Committee of the Whole back to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Zoe.

Madam Chair, if we can go to the main estimates to deal with the Department of Health and Social Services.

Is the committee agreed?

Okay, committee is agreed. I will ask Minister Michael Miltenberger to please deliver the opening remarks for the main estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Miltenberger.

I am pleased to present the 2005-06 main estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services.

The department is requesting a total of just under $253 million for the 2005-06 fiscal year. This is an increase of about $4 million, or 1.6 percent, over last year's budget. In addition to this growth, there are some additional requirements that we anticipate will need to be addressed this coming year. These will be included in future supplementary appropriations if required.

I am looking forward to seeing the benefits of the funding agreed to at the First Ministers' meeting on health that concluded last fall. This funding is not included in the department's 2005-06 budget because negotiations about how the funds can be spent have not yet concluded. The territorial health access fund will provide $150 million, over five years, for the three territories to assist with the North's unique challenges, such as the high cost of medical travel, and to facilitate long-term health reforms. There will also be ongoing increases to the Canada health transfer and, potentially, opportunities to access the new aboriginal health fund.

We share common goals and hopes for our residents, that they can live healthy lives and do not experience alcohol and drug abuse. We support their efforts with promotion and prevention programs and we respond to their crises with treatment services. The department has accomplished many changes through the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, including ensuring that frontline and community workers are adequately paid, trained and supervised by being employees of the regional authorities. There is more to do and we intend to follow through with the strategy by keeping the focus on community-based promotion and prevention efforts to tackle these challenges.

As the Minister of Finance previously indicated, the fiscal responsibility policy will be a cornerstone of the upcoming budget and the government's new fiscal strategy. While the department always need funds to support lasting improvements to the health and social services system, we are committed to spending wisely and achieving results.

Although we are finding efficiencies in as many areas as possible, we are dealing with the rising cost of doing business. We have made investments in the workforce, salary increases for our physicians and specialists, foster care costs, medical supplies that must be purchased, and the expanding costs of our supplementary health benefits programs, including drugs and medical travel. The budget request of $252.705 million will be distributed between five main areas of activity:

• • $31 million for program delivery support. This is the support and assistance needed throughout the system. This includes human resource services such as recruitment and training, information technology systems development and support, as well as the administration of our health insurance programs and the authorities' operations.
• • $135 million for health services programs. These services are provided at our health centres, public health clinics, doctors' offices, hospitals and some facilities in southern Canada. It includes things like public health, chronic care clinics, inpatient and outpatient care, and physician services. The cost of delivering these programs is estimated to increase from last year's costs by approximately $3 million.
• • $18 million for supplementary health programs. This covers the additional benefits provided to eligible residents for programs like Metis health benefits, indigent health benefits, extended health benefits and medical travel. The cost of these benefit programs will increase by approximately $2 million compared to the past year.
• • $62 million for community health programs. These programs include the provision of child and family services. This budget also supports programs that promote healthy lifestyles and community wellness, and also includes services for at-risk individuals and families.
• • $6 million for the directorate. This includes system-wide leadership and management planning policy and legislation development and administrative support for the department.

There will never be enough money for health if the only focus is on treating illnesses.

The department also has programs and services that encourage people to become healthier, to become more active, and to improve the wellbeing of their families and communities. We emphasize prevention, encouraging people to eat right and get enough exercise, to stop smoking and drinking, and to immunize children against contagious diseases.

A facilities review is underway, and a government-wide review of boards and agencies is underway. We will do operation reviews of each authority, beginning with Inuvik, to see what is working well and what needs improving.

Registered midwives start their practices this year. We are hiring northern graduates and training our staff for more advanced positions.

The toll-free health care line provides 24-hour advice to people in their homes. For all of these programs and services, the department and the authorities work collaboratively with many government and non-government partners.

Madam Chair, I welcome the opportunity to answer the questions that Members may have as you consider the 2005-06 Main Estimates for Health and Social Services. Thank you.