David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The case that I bring up might be hypothetical, but there’s a real case that this government has spent upwards of $10 million on one that involved an employee of the Government of the Northwest Territories and, to be honest, Mr. Chairman, I want to ensure that the government does not have to pay out this type of money in lawsuits and litigation charges in the future. I want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to cover ourselves off against expenditures like that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reason that I mention that is I know we’re spending a tremendous amount of money on a legal case that we didn’t have insurance on. I know when I see the words “crime” and “liability” it just leads me to question if we have insurance in this area to cover us against crimes that employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories or the health authorities might make. That begs the question of why we don’t have coverage for other departments and employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories, but I’ve asked this question before and perhaps the Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, October 22, 2004, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the following persons be approved by the Legislative Assembly as sole adjudicators: Mr. Robert Clark, Mr. Robert Halifax and Mr. Dave Jones, QC. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we weren't really discussing a childcare centre, we're discussing an addictions centre. I think if the Minister adds up the cost that this government pays to send people south and the programming that they receive while they're in the South -- you know, the airfares and everything else that this government spends on addictions and sending people south -- I think they could come up with some dollar figure and try to equate that to operating this facility.

Also, Mr. Speaker, there has been some new money announced for health. Just as a final question to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the big dollar item is already on the ground there in the Somba K'e Lodge, and it was built as a treatment centre. Maybe the Minister can tell me why or what happened along the road that today we find it empty and not being used as a treatment centre, and it wasn't that long ago, Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering what the reasons are for it not being used for its intended purpose. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know there’s a program and treatment centre in Hay River that deals with alcohol addiction, but my main concern is for drug addiction. It’s becoming more prevalent every day in society in the Northwest Territories, especially with our young people. As I mentioned, the economy is growing stronger and people have more money; the problem is only going to grow. I’d like to ask the Minister if he will indeed have a look at setting up a dedicated treatment centre for drug addiction in the Northwest Territories. I think it’s something that we have to pay attention to and it...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m just wondering where members might find the actual budget for that new hospital in terms of maintenance, heating fuel and power consumption.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering if the Minister and his department have a strategy to perhaps come up with a program that is tailored to the residents of the Northwest Territories that they can seek some programming help while at home and not have to journey south, away from friends and family, to seek the help that they need. I’m just wondering if the department has any plans to try to put together some type of program tailor made to our situation here in the North. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess I will start off with asking the question why a new hospital that was twice the size of the old hospital was using a budget based on 2002-03 actuals of the old hospital. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Residents are often sent south to get help far away from friends and family to support and encourage them. Money seems to be the biggest hurdle to overcome in making this happen. I would like to comment that during last fall's election campaign, many residents felt that a dedicated treatment centre was necessary and much needed. As a government, we need to prioritize the needs of our residents, with health and welfare being at the top of that list.

Why do we continue to operate a young offenders' facility in Inuvik with no clients, or a hospital in Fort Smith with...