Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Can the Minister advise this House if any communities in the Northwest Territories actually do have a paper/cardboard recycling program being utilized presently?

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yellowknife is the only community in the Northwest Territories to operate a paper and cardboard recycling program, funded through municipal taxes. It has recently encountered challenges in finding markets for these materials. My understanding is the city is currently stockpiling these materials onsite in the hopes that markets improve in the future. Packaging and printed paper are identified in the strategy as target material for waste reductions and diversion efforts over the next 10 years.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I appreciate the Minister for his response here today. My final question for the Minister here in regards to this concern that I have brought forward is: will the Minister work with his department to look at establishing a pilot project in Simpson and work with the village and the band in the region there to develop a paper and cardboard recycling program?

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

As it is laid out in the strategy, ENR and MACA will work with the communities over the next 10 years to prevent, recycle, and better manage our waste. Through the strategy, we have committed to finding solutions for a number of waste materials over the next 10 years. Beyond packaging and printing paper, target materials to be addressed include household hazardous waste; tires; additional electronic and electrical products; used oil; large appliances; scrap metal; construction, renovation, and demolition waste; organics; paint; mercury-containing products; and batteries. In addition to establishing a three- to five-year waste reduction or diversion program over the next 10 years, the strategy aims to develop a territory-wide backhaul program to reduce some of the logistical, financial, and technical challenges associated with removing hazardous and recyclable materials from NWT communities.

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Each sitting, I ask the Minister about progress on creating an adult day program in Yellowknife, a program for elders to assist them with social inclusion needs and to provide respite for their families. I realize the Minister has looked at various options, but the fact is there is still nothing in place. I note that the department is surveying seniors about their social activities. Can the Minister tell us more about the survey and what its purpose is? Thank you.

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the department is currently conducting a survey of potential stakeholders, potential clients, individuals who have an interest in this area, so that we can get a sense of what type of program the people and the seniors of Yellowknife really want with respect to an adult day program. That survey has gone out. We are shutting that survey down at the end of the month. I expect to have some results forwarded to me and shared with me by the department, at which point we will be able to give some direction on how to move forward.

Timing-wise, we will provide direction in this Assembly, but ultimately, it will be the next Assembly where this rolls out, but we will get that information by the end of the month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you to the Minister for that answer. What is the Minister expecting for a response rate? What would be, in his view, a statistically valid response?

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

We have encouraged as many people as possible to fill out the survey. We are getting decent numbers at this point, but we need to see what we get by the end of the month. At this time, I would certainly like to take the opportunity to encourage everybody who hasn't to please get out and fill out that survey to help us design programs that will meet the needs of the residents of Yellowknife.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Can the Minister confirm that there is money available to implement a solution for the adult day program without having to wait for the next budget process?

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. Is there any chance of action on solutions before this Minister leaves office? Mahsi.