This is page numbers 69 - 100 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 4th 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 communities.

Topics

Further Return To Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 80

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, I'm not sure if the Member is asking me to commit additional dollars to his community of Good Hope. The program was reduced and Fort Good Hope has been deferred for one year. However, there is already an allocation and has been historically an allocation to the community government funding to deal with dust. The community also has the option to invest in dust control if that is a priority. We do not dictate where the communities should invest their money. If they spend it in other areas, that is the community's decision. So we can certainly indicate to the Member that we have a study that is complete. We'll share that information that will indicate what the best option is for the community of Fort Good Hope. If he's asking me to put in more money, at this point I don't think I can commit to that, but I certainly will commit to looking for some long-term solutions for dealing with some of the dust in the communities. That's a real priority. We've heard it over and over in our visits to the community. So I will commit to that, but not to additional funding at this point.

Further Return To Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 80

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 80

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the chipsealing program would make a real difference in the small communities that don't have a chipsealing program. The larger centres have paved roads; they don't have to deal with the dust. In the smaller communities, the old people have to live day in and day out in houses where dust is a very big issue. It's a crying shame that this government who wants to make a difference in the Northwest Territories, and we've got $40 million sitting by Cabinet. So would the Minister again look at the chipsealing programs in the communities and see if he can get anything done that will help the communities with their dust problems? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 80

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 80

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, we have been looking at the dust problem for a couple of years now. As I indicated earlier, we have undertaken to hire a contractor to come up with some options for us. We will look at that, and if it requires additional investment from this government, we will bring that forward. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Question 42-15(4): Chipseal Program In Fort Good Hope
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 80

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 6, oral questions. We have 22 minutes left in question period and four more people on the list at least. Let's see if we can fit everybody in in the next 20 minutes, and that will include the assistance of Ministers and their answers. Next on the list I have the Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I have questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services in regard to the treatment of an individual with disabilities that is so appalling, and I have been meaning to ask these questions. I think given this week is Disability Awareness Week it has even more significance, Madam Speaker. This individual is somebody that is well known to us, he's from a community and he used to work in this building. He has been housed in a hospital since February; three months. His apartment had to be renovated, and it has taken this long, and I challenge anybody in this House to be housed in a hospital for three months and not develop any new health conditions. Madam Speaker, I think this is quite appalling and I think the government has an obligation to take care of this situation right away. So I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services why it is that it is taking this long to renovate this house so this person can be in his own home. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

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

Return To Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is a very thinly veiled discussion of a very personal issue involving a specific individual that the Member has done everything but name, and it's not appropriate for me to comment in this House. I would be more than happy to talk to her about what is transpiring in this particular situation, but it is not appropriate to discuss it in this House. Thank you.

Return To Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I suppose that is his judgment call, but I can assure this House, Madam Speaker, that I have run into this individual in many places and he is begging all of us to do something. So I can tell you, Madam Speaker, that I am speaking with his total consent, and perhaps the Minister could be sympathetic enough to make a commitment in this House on his behalf that he will look into this situation and confirm to us that he will be back in his house by next week. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am aware of the circumstances of this particular case, and I am aware that it has taken some time to get all of the various parties together. I am also aware that in fact the accommodation will be ready for occupancy I believe this week. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Question 43-15(4): Treatment Of Individual With A Disability
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee. Thank you. Next on the list I have the Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services in regard to the requests the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors has had out there for quite some time now. They have been asking for support from this government in regard to planning money so they can move forward on building a dementia centre here in Yellowknife. It's my opinion that they are addressing a need that isn't directly their responsibility, but that impacts them. It's a responsibility, in my mind, that belongs directly in the hands of government, yet this community organization is stepping forward and addressing the need on their own through a partnership program. So when will this government, when will the Minister of Health and Social Services step forward and help this organization that is addressing this community need, and when will he address it by giving them some planning money? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

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

Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as far as I am aware, we have made a commitment to free up some funding to allow that planning to proceed. Thank you.

Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Do they have the money in their hands as of today? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there has been an agreement reached between the Department of Health and Social Services and the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors on this project, but it is a cash flow issue. As far as I am aware, there is an agreement signed and that the chair is aware of it and that the deputies work directly with these folks and these matters are in hand. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 81

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's my understanding that this money is tied to other money. So

is this agreement binding that the GNWT will eventually come forward with this money, because, as I understood this, clearly they needed this planning money in the fall, and this community organization is willing to take out a mortgage and they are willing to fundraise for this facility. They need some money to move forward. So is this agreement binding and is it tied to anything so they keep waiting for it? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 82

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Question 44-15(4): Dementia Centre In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 82

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is planning money. We've been working with YACCS over the last couple of years to move this project along. It's tied into a broader facilities plan to deal with the cognitively impaired and long-term care resources required across the North. At this point, we've committed to the planning dollars. There have been suggestions about how it could be financed, but there's clearly more work that has to be done. It also has to be taken through due process once the design and everything is agreed to. There is a process that has to be followed with the committees and Cabinet to in fact be able to do that, but we've committed to the resources to help them continue the planning. We're committed to seeing this process through, and it figures into our broader planning for long-term care. Thank you.