Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member’s statement I spoke about trauma and how it affects families in our northern territory. We do have many different programs available such as alcohol, substance abuse, et cetera. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if there is a coordinated strategy to help the families out there suffering, and individuals, with regard to improving their mental health and well-being. Some will go to addictions counselling and sometimes it’s not enough and there are other aspects affecting their lives. Has there been a coordinated...

Mr. Speaker... [Translation] I would like to make a statement on how the government can help us, and this is what I’d like to talk about today, and I will speak in English from this point on. [Translation ends.]

I rise today to speak about families. Families are the strength of our territory. The mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health is important to the health and prosperity of our territory. Many of our families are suffering. They are suffering because of the effects of trauma in their lives and this is tearing them apart.

Trauma is an event that involves a single experience or...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The funding that’s available to the small and remote communities for health and wellness is about $5,000 and it’s usually specifically targeted to alcohol or substance abuse. This is what I was speaking about when I talked about a community-driven program that they want to see. It’s often limited. Is there a way that the Minister will look at loosening some of those guidelines and provide alternative and specific trauma available to the communities?

I just wonder if there’s anybody in the department who is taking a coordinated approach and applying a medical concept to the word “trauma,” because we’ve got many, many issues in the North. The most recent, of course, is the residential school symptoms and syndromes. However, it’s as a result of trauma that leads to alcoholism and family abuse. It’s prevalent throughout families, affecting children and their ability to go to school. Is there a coordinated approach to mental health and wellness? It seems we have individual programming, and Members in this House speak to it often on individual...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Deborah Stipdonk, a resident of Fort Simpson. Welcome to the gallery. As well as Ms. Gazira Chan, a former resident of Fort Simpson. Welcome. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 10, Northwest Territories Heritage Fund Act. The committee wishes to report that Bill 10 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted.

That’s exactly what I was looking for. As long as the strategy is in place and we can find resources for it.

If I get down to a more local level, constituents have also been raising the issue of maintenance. I know that our government this year we’re practicing passive restraint. Is that something that’s affecting the department? Constituents are saying there’s lower maintenance this year, or else maintenance continues to be deferred and it’s really affecting the road to the travellers right up until today.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions with respect to Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 7. Typically in our government I think the priority is called the Deh Cho Trail. My long-term vision is to see the whole thing chipsealed. That way we can increase businesses and business opportunities with that. I’d like to know what the strategy is for the Department of Transportation, the long-range goal for this particular Deh Cho Trail.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased that the Minister will check into it. That’s just observation from the constituents.

As well, the concern is also coming out of Wrigley that they feel that perhaps there’s a reduced maintenance schedule. If the Minister will commit also to look at Highway No. 1 that goes up Fort Simpson to Wrigley.

Several times in this House the government has said that there’s a bleak economic future in terms of finance and fiscal restraint throughout the country. I still believe that we can develop a nice strategy for the Deh Cho Trail. I think we’re already using it for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, where we’re adding a few bridges every year. That’s the kind of investment that my constituents are looking for. They often tell me, as I travel to the communities, that they use the highways for living and for their life. I’d like to urge this government to continue developing a strategy specifically for...