Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this program is under a lot of growth pressures. I can't tell the Member specifically what it costs. I can tell him that there is work being done to make sure that we can cope with the demand, that we can modernize equipment and make sure that the staff we have are trained. We are working with a doctor from Calgary to come up with a good plan; this Dr. Remmers has had experience in other jurisdictions, so we are looking at this area very closely. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there was, as I indicated, a decision paper done. We also looked at other options prior to going to Cabinet with a final decision paper. I’m not sure what the Member means by a study, but the department looked at options and came forward with a decision paper to Cabinet. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize the contributions and abilities of persons with disabilities. NWT Disability Awareness Week is from May 20 to June 4, 2005. The theme for this year’s activities is “Celebrating our Strengths.”

Madam Speaker, disability can affect any one of us directly or indirectly at any point in our lives. Some people are born with disabilities. Other people are disabled by an accident, illness or disease. Some disabilities are temporary, while others are life long. Some disabilities are visible and other disabilities cannot be seen...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I’ll let the Member expedite, we’ll move in…(inaudible)…and we’ll try to expedite the process.

---Laughter

I’m not sure what pot he’s talking about, but the pot I have has some resources in it, both of which are fully subscribed to. We’ve committed to this process. We’ve agreed with YACCS on a way to proceed and we’re going to do just that. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there has been an agreement reached between the Department of Health and Social Services and the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors on this project, but it is a cash flow issue. As far as I am aware, there is an agreement signed and that the chair is aware of it and that the deputies work directly with these folks and these matters are in hand. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am aware of the circumstances of this particular case, and I am aware that it has taken some time to get all of the various parties together. I am also aware that in fact the accommodation will be ready for occupancy I believe this week. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my ears are still filled with the echoes of the debate in the last session of this House on a similar circumstance that was put forward by the Member for Hay River South on a circumstance that is somewhat related to this in terms of their community and the impact on their community. Unfortunately, the reality is that in this case, not unfortunately, but the reality is in this case, Madam Speaker, we are tasked to carry out a certain project and a move and we are doing that, and we will come forward in the business plan to lay out the detail. We will...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Bill 7, Personal Directives Act, be read for the second time.

Madam Speaker, this bill recognizes and regulates personal directives, commonly known as "living wills." It provides individuals with a legal mechanism for planning for their own possible future incapacity with respect to their health care or other personal matters, and it enables medical practitioners to obtain consent in respect of individuals who lack the capacity to give consent.

Some of the key provisions of the bill are concerned...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as I indicated in this House, a decision has been made to relocate TTC to Hay River. It’s going to be a process that is going to take some time. There are some renovations to be done. We will come forward in the business planning process with the details of the move. I have also committed in the next day or two to provide this House, the chair of the Social Programs committee and her colleagues, with information that got us to this point. That is the process and this is going to take some time. The business plan is where we intend to come forward...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the fundamental incentive is the love everybody has for the land and the need and desire to have a pristine environment in our communities and outside our communities. That goes, once again, to people making the individual choice to take their last drink of pop and throw their can in the ditch or throw their garbage bags or shopping bags outside or in the garbage. We have a program coming into effect November 1st, which will encourage and put funds to help communities set up recycling programs to start recycling bottles and cans and hopefully to broaden...