Bob Bromley

I see the $152 million, so in terms of fees and payments, the $35 million and the program delivery details, $198 million. So all the travel by the authorities would be within the grants and contributions. That seems strange, but I just want to get that clear. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are in follow-up to my Member’s statement earlier today and are addressed to the Minister of Public Works and Services. In May I raised the idea of providing space in GNWT buildings for the display of artist products supported with government policy. The Minister said he thought this was a great idea and that he would work with his colleagues and have conversations with some of the local artist organizations to gather their input. Could the Minister inform us of his progress on that work?

Thank you. An area I have no expertise. I have nowhere to lodge that answer, so I’ll have to just trust the director here, which is fine. If I can jump ahead just a little bit because they may be related here on the next page, I see that we’ve increased $360,000 for population health contributions in the area of tobacco, and healthy choices by about $360,000. Is that part of this shuffling?

Thank you, Madam Chair. That’s all I have for this page.

Thanks to the Minister. That sounds like a plan. Is the Sahtu being done during this current fiscal year that we’re in? And if that’s the case, and we’ve heard the plan to go where there are lots of new babies, where in the budget do we have the proposal for expanded healthy families programs for this fiscal year coming?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Justice. The Department of Justice has been working on the development of a mental health diversion court in response to repeated committee requests and motions passed in this and the 16th Assembly. The Minister has told me that justices are generally supportive but need to be assured that the model to be used will satisfy conditions for being a legal alternative form of sentencing.

How is the Minister working to ensure that this legal test is met and when can we expect to see these proposals for review by committee? Mahsi.

I did, indeed, give the Minister considerable notice here, so I appreciate that I will be getting that information very soon.

Last session I asked the Minister why home ownership units stand unsold, pointing out that income rating and debt restrictions often prevent people from meeting program eligibilities. A more individual approach is needed. Both the Housing Corporation and I would like to see increased home ownership.

What is the Minister doing to evaluate the Housing Choices program to include some applicant file audits and to pursue other measures to tune up the program and get people...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again today, advocates for the prompt provision of on-the-ground midwifery services are gathering outside this Assembly to press their case. Some may join us here in the gallery yet again, to watch our proceedings and repeat the appeal for early and full introduction of midwifery service. Through petition, letter, contacts with MLAs and with the Health Minister, the NWT Citizens for Midwifery have demonstrated their broad base of support espousing the wisdom of implementing territory-wide midwifery.

The proposed budget contains limited amounts for partial introduction of...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Minister mentioned in his earlier comments the three pilot projects they’ve got going in the area of, I believe it’s chronic disease. Just in terms of our policy development and whatnot, what are those three programs and what is the basis for the evaluation that will go into designing the then permanent chronic care strategy?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been at this for several years now, so I’m glad the Minister is getting a sense. We were told by Health that, in fact, these programs will meet the mental health court requirements.

Is the Justice department going to be prepared to fund a court, given that those conditions are met, for 2013-14 and the feasibility study will, obviously, be done this fiscal year? Mahsi.