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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Tony Whitford is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for Kam Lake

Won his last election, in 1999, with 80% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question O154-12(1): Friends Against Family Violence Society Proposal December 17th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I heard what the Minister has said about my return to the question. I will endeavour to look into the matter further and get back to the Member just as soon as I can on this.

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions December 17th, 1991

My last return, Mr. Speaker, is to a question asked by the honourable Member for North Slave, and it deals with social assistance payments to persons in southern Canada. Payments are made out of the social assistance program to persons living outside of the Northwest Territories, but they include:

1) Comfort allowance and basic need support to Northwest Territories residents who are living in institutions in the provinces.

2) Assistance to transients who come to the Northwest Territories and who are assessed to be in need. Our policy allows limited assistance for up to three days and transportation costs out, that is south, for these transient individuals who are found to be in need.

3) The last category is the basic needs assistance for NWT residents who leave the Territories and do not qualify for provincial assistance. Our policy allows those who qualify under such circumstances to receive assistance for up to six months. As an example, a student leaves the NWT for training and qualifies for assistance as an NWT resident.

In 1990-91 the 156 cases assisted out of the Territories included the dependants of recipients. The actual number of individuals was more like 80. The amount expended out of the Territories for any of those three categories was $27,834. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions December 17th, 1991

I have a return to a question asked by the honourable Member for Inuvik, regarding priorities for assisting abused victims. The Society of Friends Against Family Violence in Inuvik, is working towards the establishment of a shelter for battered women and children for the Inuvik area.

The society has received $2500 from the victim's assistance program, through the Department of Justice, to develop a proposal for this purpose. To date, the complete proposal has not been submitted to the Department of Social Services for review. Discussions with the society indicate that a proposal will be submitted requesting funds for the operational costs of a shelter. The department has not been asked to identify a building.

Further, the society has been informed that all funds within the family violence prevention program have been committed for the fiscal year. Should new funds be identified in the new fiscal period, Inuvik would be considered for funding.

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions December 17th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, and it deals with native custom adoptions. Custom adoptions are taking place across the Northwest Territories every day. A native custom adoption occurs whenever the child is given to the adopting parents by the natural parents or grandparents. Sometimes the adopting parents want to submit the custom adoption to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, which requires the completion of documents for the court. Social workers in the communities and officials in headquarters assist people in the regions by helping to complete these documents.

There is no delay in custom adoption due to the family law review currently under way. My department officials in headquarters advise that they are processing adoptions as they come to the office from the regions. However, once reviewed here, they go to Justice for review and submission to the courts. If there are problems with the documents, staff in Yellowknife headquarters work with the community worker to fix them. Sometimes a worker is very busy in a community with child welfare, social assistance, probation and young offender cases, and cannot process a native custom adoption as quickly as people would like. People do not have to use the social worker and many do not. Many people go to their court worker or legal aid clinic if there is one in their community. I am advised that both these organizations assist and so the delay may be with them. However, all workers and staff in my department have been directed that they are to help people with custom adoption documents and this still takes place in the same way it has for many years.

The family law review will be making recommendations on whether or not to pass laws on custom adoption. The only delay this creates is with respect to reforming the present system. The review process has not resulted in delays by my department or staff processing custom adoptions.

In summary, I can advise the Member that the department is processing adoptions and will continue to help people whenever they are asked.

I have another return if I may, Mr. Speaker. As a matter of fact I have two more.

Christmas Period December 17th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to take this opportunity to express to the Members who will soon be leaving for the Christmas holidays, best wishes from all of my constituents to their's and to their families and friends. We will not see them until some time in February, but I want to take this opportunity to say to them all that it has been a pleasure and it will continue to be that. I would also like to say special greetings to all of the staff of this government who have made, so far, the work of this House and myself much easier. I wish to express to my dedicated staff seasons greetings and thank you.

I also wanted to remind Members as they head on home to participate in whatever type of Christmas they choose, in whatever they wish to celebrate, not to forget those people that are less fortunate. Out there people are lonely, they are sick, very young, homeless, very old, those that are incarcerated, those that are in hospitals, and all that; not to forget them as well at this time of the year. At least remember them in your thoughts and prayers, I know I will, and wherever possible visit with them, to assist in some small way those that are in need. Merry Christmas.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1991-92 December 17th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I thank the Member for advising me of this matter. I will endeavour to look into the principle that we apply there. Thank you.

Social Services, Total O And M, Agreed

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1991-92 December 17th, 1991

I believe the practice is to use homes wherever possible in the communities.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1991-92 December 17th, 1991

Could I have the question again, please, Mr. Koe?

Question O135-12(1): Permanent Day-care Policy December 16th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will endeavour to make that one of my priorities, and with the help of the honourable Members, address that issue before the end of the Assembly.

Question O135-12(1): Permanent Day-care Policy December 16th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish I could give a definite date to the honourable Member as to when we would conclude such a matter, but I am unable to do that at this time.