Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 22nd, 1996

Committee of the Whole is then a greed ... The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? Would you like to be the only one who is opposed, Mr. Kakfwi? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

I will now rise and report progress.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 22nd, 1996

I would like to call Committee of the

Whole to order at this time. Today on the agenda is the

continuation of the consideration of Tabled Document 1

13(3), Report on the Commission on MLA Compensation. Mr. Erasmus.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery March 22nd, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased that I was able to convince my husband to take the day off work today and come and defend the Groenewegen name on the ice against the media. I would like to recognize my husband, Rick, and my daughter, Jillian,

--- Applause

Tabled Document 1-13(3): Report Of The Commission On MLA Compensation March 21st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some of the Members had spoken of the commission's recommendations with respect to constituency work expenses and they felt that the recommendations on that were outside of the mandate of commission. In fairness to the commission, I just wanted to read item six, that was in the terms of reference that were given to the commission. It is: "Develop a statement of purpose for the constituency work expense allowances, including recommending permissible spending criteria and to express an opinion on the adequacy of the current levels of these allowances." I understand the concern of the Members who don't agree with the recommendations, but I think it would be incorrect to say that that was outside of their mandate to make those recommendations. Thank you.

Tabled Document 1-13(3): Report Of The Commission On MLA Compensation March 21st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I had indicated during the election campaign and on several occasions subsequent to that, I do think that the pension plan, as it existed, was too lucrative and that MLAs should not expect a pension any different than what the Hay Plan people in the government service receive. I support that part of the recommendations. Also, I concur with Mr. Morin and Mr. Miltenberger that MLAs should be prepared to lead by example and to take a reduction in pay equal to, if not greater than, the public service. It remains to be seen what the public service will negotiate, but I think that we, without even knowing how that is going to turn out, need to clearly state that we are prepared to adjust our incomes to the fiscal times we are in. I will have further comments when we review the report, recommendation by recommendation. Thank you.

Question 20-13(3): Ontario Government Study On Chiropractic Services March 21st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister consider issuing a request for proposals for a licensed and accredited chiropractor to perform services on a pilot project basis as an itinerant practitioner travelling from region to region or health care facilities? From that, he could garner further information with respect to its effectiveness. Thank you.

Question 20-13(3): Ontario Government Study On Chiropractic Services March 21st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further, the article states that "Health Minister Kelvin Ng says that he had asked the department to conduct a study." Would the Minister concur that the study conducted by another jurisdiction, at some considerable expense, may serve as valuable information and that conducting another study in a jurisdiction as small as ours may be costly and redundant? Thank you.

Question 20-13(3): Ontario Government Study On Chiropractic Services March 21st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address this question to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. This is the preamble. I would like to quote from a transcript of a radio piece this morning on CBC: 'People who want to see a chiropractor have to pay for treatment out of their own pocket. Chiropractors say that prevents some people from seeking treatment. Health Minister Kelvin Ng has been asked by chiropractor David Zondag to start insuring chiropractic services. Ng said information has been sent to him showing money can be saved if more people see chiropractors. Ng says he asked the department to study the issue, but he doubts if anything can be done soon." I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of the study that was conducted by the Ontario government substantiating savings to the medical health care system through the use of chiropractors. Is he aware of that and has he read it? Thank you.

Question 111- 13(3): Departmental Assistance With Hay River Seniors' Housing Proposal March 21st, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. In Hay River we have a seniors' society which consists of approximately 155 paid-up members. They endeavour to undertake various things including addressing issues of concern to senior citizens. They would like assistance in drafting and formulating a proposal to the Minister with respect to seniors' housing. I would like to ask the Minister if it would be possible to delegate someone within the social envelope or within his department to come to Hay River to meet with them and to assist them in developing this proposal, rather than seeking outside consultants. Thank you.