Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, looking at the cost of the electricity through the facility and in comparison to the price of home heating oil, it was felt that the recovery of the cost could be done in three to five years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department itself is not aware of formal proposals out there. I am aware that there is some work going on in the Beaufort-Delta region around the issue of trying to set up a wellness facility through the Gwich’in. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the increased utilization numbers have been looked at. There has been an increase in this area due to crime in the NWT unfortunately, but it is there. Fifty percent increase since 2000. The courts are feeling the pressure as a result of that. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the area of the work, the conversion on the three facilities in Fort Smith is a pilot project. Based on the results of that as well as the availability of electricity through the hydro facility, they would be looked at once this is completed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we are working with communities. In fact, in March of this year, there was a group that met to review our progress on our core service plan in the mental health and addictions area. New direction has been given for the next five years that we drafted. Hopefully by mid-summer, we can look at how we would proceed from here. We are working with Health and Social Services authorities, NGOs, aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to come up with a new direction in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, as we would work with the authorities, if they were requesting areas of forced growth, if they had patients that needed the service, they would begin through their budget planning exercise along with the Department of Health and Social Services. Right now, there is a program laid out. I don’t have that with me at this point, but we will provide that to Members as to where we have communities slated on the business plan as we proceed or the Department of Health and Social Services proceeds. I will have that information provided to the Members. Thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this project has been revised, as well. The total project dollars is $571,000. Some money has been spent on it. The goal is to have this heliport constructed and completed by the end of August 2007. For the rest of the detail, we'll have to provide that as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 12, Public Health Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill replaces the Public Health Act and the Disease Registries Act. It provides a comprehensive framework for the protection and promotion of public health in the Northwest Territories. Consequential amendments are made to the Education Act, the Medical Profession Act and the Mental Health Act. The Public Health Act and the Disease Registries Act are repealed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the issue of water management in the NWT is one that has been raised a number of times. The departments of Health and Social Services, Municipal and Community Affairs and Public Works have worked in this area to come up with either the technical side of this, as well as the inspection side and the training side. This money is requested to effectively carry out responsibilities and meet the demands and it’s requesting two new person years as well as company O and M that is required. Thank you.