Debates of June 5th, 2008

This is page numbers 899 to 954 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 2nd 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 health.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Speaker’s Ruling

Minister’s Statement 53-16(2) Drive Alive: Summer Safety Initiatives

Minister’s Statement 54-16(2) Protected Area Strategy

Inuvialuit Final Agreement 25th Anniversary

Early Entry To Kindergarten Programs

Inuvialuit Final Agreement 25th Anniversary

Elimination Of Business Incentive Policy

Guidelines For Seismic Lines

Inuvialuit Final Agreement 25th Anniversary

Cabinet Communications

Acknowledgement Of Crystal Milligan

Kam Lake Access Road

High Cost Of Living In Small Communities

Proposed Elimination Of Deh Cho Youth Worker Position

Inuvialuit Final Agreement 25th Anniversary

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Question 263-16(2) Early Entry To Kindergarten Programs

Question 264-16(2) Renewal Of Mining Company Land Use Leases

Question 265-16(2) Guidelines For Seismic Lines

Question 266-16(2) High Cost Of Living In Small Communities

Question 267-16(2) Teaching Position Vacancies In Beaufort-Delta Region

Question 268-16(2) Access To Gravel Sources For Aklavik

Question 269-16(2) Kam Lake Access Road

Question 270-16(2) Elimination Of Business Incentive Policy

Question 271-16(2) Seniors’ Supplementary Benefit

Question 272-16(2) Employment For Summer Students

Question 273-16(2) Protected Areas Strategy

Question 274-16(2) Elimination Of Business Incentive Policy

Question 275-16(2) Elimination Of Business Incentive Policy

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Main Estimates 2008–2009 Department Of Health And Social Services

Committee Motion 29-16(2) To Reinstate Stanton Hospital Telehealth Coordinator Position And Associated Contribution Funding For A Total Amount Of $210,000, Health And Social Services, Program Delivery Support (Committee Motion Carried)

Committee Motion 30-16(2) To Defer Further Consideration Of The Operations Expenditures, Department Of Health And Social Services (Committee Motion Carried)

Committee Motion 31-16(2) To Defer Further Consideration Of Infrastructure Acquisition Plan, Department Of Health And Social Services (Committee Motion Carried)

Main Estimates 2008–2009 Department Of Human Resources

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you,

Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Cummings.

Cummings

Thank you, Mr.

Chair. The

$150,000 that’s identified in strategic initiatives for the department is to fund a position and the related O&M to develop the framework for enhanced ground-ambulance services in the Northwest Territories.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Okay, thank you for that. This is being done jointly with MACA? What’s the total funding for the whole project?

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you,

Ms. Bisaro. Minister Lee.

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Mr. Chairman, we do not have that item handy. Sorry.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Can the Minister undertake to get that for us?

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Yes, I will. I will also say that I think MACA’s portion of that funding is $200,000 and ours is $100,000.

The Minister of MACA is organizing a meeting with other municipal leaders in the next week or two to work with the community leaders on how best to go forward on this strategic initiative. I’m sure if I got any facts wrong, the Minister of MACA will be able to correct them.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you for that answer. I’d like to congratulate the Minister on anticipating my next question. I’m done.

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you,

Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would this be the area...? I believe this is the area in which I can seek out information as to funding levels for some of the advocacy groups. We have the women’s centre, the YWCA. Has there been any change in their funding through this program?

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you,

Mr. Hawkins. Minister Lee.

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is where the NGOs are funded, and their levels are similar to last year plus 3 per cent forced-growth room we give to authorities. It’s up to the authorities to work that out.

Under this section, also, we are funding the strategic initiative, where the government is investing $400,000 for stabilizing existing shelters and another $400,000 for enhancing community services.

The final details are not worked out, but what we hope to do is stabilize the shelters we have now. I’m talking only of that component of the NGOs, understanding that there are other NGO groups under this budget page.

We want to be able to access children who witness violence and also provide services to women who are subject to family violence but who may not necessarily want to go to shelters. That’s sort of the general framework we have, and we need to work out the details.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

It’s interesting how the Minister described it as similar funding, but they have 3 per cent forced growth. I’m just trying to interpret what that actually means. Has the funding of these organizations stayed the same? It’s probably a yes-or-no question.

That said, what does the 3 per cent forced growth apply to? Does it apply to their operations money, to the money they use to staff, et cetera, et cetera? Can the Minister explain what that 3 per cent is specifically applied to?

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

It’s going to be a long night. Yes what? How does it apply?

Sandy Lee Range Lake

I was just honouring his request that the answer be yes or no, and my answer is yes. The 3 per cent extra we are providing to the authorities — who are the governing bodies or the funding agencies for most of the NGOs.... They have this extra money, 3 per cent, to consider those forced-growth applications that will come forward from those NGOs — increased cost in fuel, or whatever that may be. That’s a long way to say yes.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

So we have a renewal of the same amount of funding level, but an increase of 3 per cent — not specific or attached to anything such as utility bills or staffing. Okay.

Mr. Chairman, can I get some breakdown as to what some of the contract services are? We have an item listed for $10.261 million.

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you,

Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Elkin.

Elkin

The contract services under the Community Health Programs Activity are a broad range under children and family services, legal services, child protection, the Tele-Care service in the department, all our southern alcohol and drug treatment services, all the southern adult placement contracts and placements for children with specialized needs. It’s a whole range of various contracts.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Would committee be able to receive a copy of that list that also has the amounts attached to it?

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Thank you,

Minister Lee. Any other questions on 6-33? All right, 6-33, Activity Summary, Community Health Programs, Operations Expenditure Summary: $75.334 million.

Department of Health and Social Services,

Activity Summary, Community Health Programs, Operations Expenditure Summary: $75.334 million, approved.

The Chair Glen Abernethy

Moving forward, page 6-35, Activity Summary, Community Health Programs, Grants and Contributions, Contributions. Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you. I have a couple of questions around 6-36, but it’s a continuation of 6-35. Are we okay with that?

Some Honourable Members

Agreed.

Debates of June 5th, 2008

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