Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are quite a number of programs that we are involved with right from when an individual comes forward requesting support in this area of alcohol and drug addictions counselling through our framework and the revisions working with NGOs, this government and Members of this Assembly. There are a number of areas we have tried to focus on, and that is improving access in communities through community wellness workers as well as mental health and addiction workers and working with those that would come through. As well, in a number of communities -- and I...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, right now there is a void there in legislation. That is why it is in a number of areas where different groups are offering the service. So we will create the legislation and then occupy the field. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, maybe the Minister can provide that at a later date. But the process here is for some work that has been identified so they can put into new initiatives. So there are some new dollars going into that for the 60th parallel; $75,000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Bill 9, Write-off of Debts Act, 2007-2008, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the write-off of debts owed to the government and public agencies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this is jointly funded between the federal government, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and ourselves. That is our portion of it, $305,000; 25 percent is our portion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is asking me as the Minister of my department to get directly involved in the negotiation process. Right now, the employees are the employees of the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. We have a contract with the Aven Manor and are employees of that facility. They are continuing to have their negotiation process. We are watching what is happening. As well, we are working cooperatively with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the process is we start right from square one. For example, as the Department of Health and Social Services builds its budget, it goes to all the health authorities and they submit a budget for the upcoming year. Those budgets are based somewhat on the actuals they had in the previous year with some estimates of what the potential may be on certain areas. If the population has grown, if they have seen an example of certain sicknesses at different times of the year, that has an impact on their budget. Some of it is built on estimates. Those, in all worlds...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Mackenzie Highway winter road program is a cost-shared program and it's through the Canadian strategic infrastructure fund package. So that's how this funding works. The carry-over is to help continue the bridge construction at Blackwater River and Bob's Canyon Creek in '07-08. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this program, as I had stated earlier, we’re working through the Territorial Advisory Group, again, in consultation with all of those that I talked about that we will work with and we will develop a program. I’m expecting to see something by mid-summer in this area so, hopefully, enjoying our last sitting of this Assembly I’ll be able to share information on where that’s going. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the department used to fund it internally but as cost pressures within the department have grown, they felt they needed to request this. Again, it was one of the new initiatives that we parked until we had a better indication of where the federal budget was going. This is also a cost-shared program. Thank you.