David Krutko

To the Preamble.

Preamble approved.

We’ll now move to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, page 10-7, 1. Page 10-7, Industry, Tourism and Investment, Department Summary, Operations Expenditure Summary: $45.593 million.

Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Department Summary, Operations Expenditure Summary: $45.593 million, approved.

Does the committee agree?

Motion is in order. Motion is being distributed.

Motion carried.

Now we’ll turn to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, page 8-7. Operations Expenditure Summary, Department Summary: $293.914 million.

Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Department Summary, Operations Expenditure Summary: $293.914 million, approved.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister if she can verify or get information in regard to the health of communities based on the lack of programs and services. What’s the mental, emotional and physical health of those people in those communities, compared to other communities that have those services?

With that, we can go back to page 1 of Bill 8, clause-by-clause. We’ll defer the Preamble.

Clauses 1 and 2 approved.

Can we turn to page 5-9 of Volume 2 of the Main Estimates, Infrastructure Investment Expenditure. Department of Health, page 5-9. Community Health Programs, Infrastructure Acquisition Plan: $32.414 million.

Department of Health and Social Services, Infrastructure Acquisition Plan, Community Health Programs, Total Department: $32.414 million, approved.

Mr. Speaker, one of the priorities of this government is to have safe and vibrant communities. I think one of the fundamental bases of any community is to have health care, a good education system, and good programs and services. I think it’s important that we see the disparity between our small communities and larger communities because of the social conditions that they’re in. Not having access to health care is definitely one of them.

I’d like to ask the Minister: exactly why is it that this disparity exists, when most communities don’t have to worry about access to health care? They take it...

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Motion is in order. To the motion? Question’s been called.

Motion carried.