Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister inform the House whether there is money specifically provided to boards for palliative care?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services. As I stated in my Members statement, I have some concerns about the status of palliative care in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we have an aging population. More and more non-aboriginals are no longer retiring to the south. More and more people are making a commitment to live and die in the North. We as a society have a responsibility to make our elders' and other residents' final days as comfortable as possible. This means that we need a heath care system with hospitals and staff that are equipped to meet the challenge.

Can the Minister tell me what hospitals in the Territories have a palliative care program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the president of the NWTTA, Pat Thomas, in the gallery.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in this society of ours, feelings play a major role in our day-to-day life. From the time we come into this world to the time we leave, we experience change. Change is usually accompanied by some emotion, from joy to sadness. We go through times when all we really care about is how well we feel and what we can do to bring more joy and excitement into our own lives.

Mr. Speaker, we all know the joy and excitement that the birth of a healthy baby brings into our lives. This excitement continues as the young child develops and matures and achieves the goals that he or she has set out.

Many of us have experienced the concerns and worry when friends or loved ones are troubled for whatever reason, and very often we feel frustrated that there is very little we can do to ease the pain and suffering of others. Mr. Speaker, one of the hardest things I have had to deal with is when I have witnessed the pain and suffering of loved ones caused by terminal illness.

It is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, for us to fully understand what others go through. It is equally hard to administer the help they need to comfort them.

Mr. Speaker, the aging population of the Northwest Territories is in need of help. Fortunately, there are fully trained professionals who can provide this help. I feel that we must do everything we can to make these services available. We all want the best for our ever-increasing, aging population. I feel that a properly equipped and staffed palliative care centre in the Northwest Territories would go a long way towards providing the comfort they truly deserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Ministry proposed the additional office renovations additional staff. See page 3, Aboriginal Affairs, 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation. See also page 1, capital, departmental submissions, Aboriginal Affairs, 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation.

Committee members recommended that the Ministry utilize vacant space that is leased by the Government of the Northwest Territories before renovating existing space. This will represent significant cost savings for the Ministry and the government.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee members were concerned with the lack of progress at the negotiating tables. The committee recognizes the importance of the negotiations, but are of the perception that government may not be concurrent with the pace of progress.

The committee recommends that the Ministry provide a quarterly progress report on negotiations for review by committee members.

The committee asked the Minister responsible for a definition of the role of the Government of the Northwest Territories at the negotiating tables.

The department replied that the role of the territorial government is to ensure the overall interests of the people of the Northwest Territories are represented and protected at the negotiating table.

The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs requested an additional five positions to assist with negotiations. Two teams, each consisting of a chief negotiator and an assistant negotiator, will be hired to participate in the Deh Cho and Akaitcho self-government negotiations on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The Ministry will be further supported by the proposed addition of a policy analyst. (see p. 3, Aboriginal Affairs, 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation)

Committee members suggested that the Ministry may wish to better utilize its current staff given fiscal realities. All departments should be looking from within for additional resources.

The committee met with the Minister and his staff on March 17, 2000, to review the proposed 2000-2001 interim appropriation for the department. The committee made note of the following issues.