Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By definition, territorial facilities are there for the benefit of all 33 communities. Once again, by definition, the other 32 communities are going to have to generally travel to access the service that is in the one community where that service may be, be it Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Hay River, or anywhere else. When we have a territorial facility, we plan and budget for the travel that is required, as we will do in the case right now with TTC, which is here, and children come in from all the other communities. The process will be the same, only they will...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I indicated that I would follow up on the Member’s assertions and that we would take every step possible to be sensitive and mindful of the situation that the affected employees are going through, and that’s what we intend to do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, TTC, like Trailcross in Fort Smith, is a territorial facility that provides services to all the communities in the Northwest Territories. Currently, I understand there are four Yellowknife residents and four residents from other smaller communities outside of Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in fact, Bosco Homes has indicated interest, and the intent is to transfer the contract and keep it as a contractual arrangement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision has been made by the government to relocate the program and we are in the initial stages of discussion with Bosco Homes. I have met with the board in Hay River. I have met with Bosco Homes' management and we are going to be taking the appropriate steps to have an orderly transition. We also have to look at working with Public Works and Services over the next number of months to do the planning for the renovations. The money was already in the budget; it has been carried over for this year. So we are in the relatively early stages, but we are moving towards...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government we should be taking measured, careful steps to look at our facilities and infrastructure across the territory to make sure that they’re used to the maximum, to make sure there is as equitable distribution of resources and programs as possible. As I’ve indicated previously, there’s a stated commitment that we’re prepared to look at decentralization opportunities. We have to look at the capability of the communities and we’ve done all that, Mr. Speaker. I believe we’ve made a careful, measured decision to relocate a program to a community that...

Mr. Speaker, this particular area of reduction, about $900,000 and some, was spread across all the boards and authorities across the Northwest Territories. So I will raise the issue with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, but clearly if there is any move on this, it will have to be territory-wide because it would be unfair to assume there would be any less problem or suffering or difficulty in Inuvik or any other authority. However, I will raise the issue with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services keeping in mind that they have a $33 million budget. Stanton has about...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to review and take the concerns of the Member to the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. As I have indicated, they have already had meetings with the various NGOs and their own officials to look at the targets and the budget figures that we have for the coming year. At the Member’s request, I would be happy to visit that with the Health and Social Services Authority for Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, starting today in Fort Smith we will also be launching our annual carnival, the Wood Buffalo Frolics, and they’ll be starting off with a feast tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow to take part in the festivities over the weekend.

As Minister McLeod mentioned, the weekend after next we’re having the first Northern Games in Fort Smith. I’d like to thank the Minister for his leadership on that issue but, most of all, like every community, I’d like to recognize the many volunteers that work tirelessly to make these events possible, that raise the quality of life...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, the authority has significant flexibility in some areas when it comes to funding and the $33 million that they administer. They have made some determinations already. They’ve met with the NGOs but, as I just indicated to the Member, I will talk to our department and we will get in touch with Yellowknife Health and Social Services on this issue.