Michael Miltenberger

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, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, as the Minister previously indicated, the utilization rates increased to the tune of about $2.8 million. There’s a four percent rate increase of about $331,000. Then there was some claims processed from 2003-04 for $865,000. I could share with the Members, if they’re interested, the summary of costs by diagnosis, by summary of claims by diagnosis, and by summary of average costs by diagnosis, if that’s of interest. I’d also point out that we’ve also been looking at our costs. Alberta has been looking at our use of their facilities and I’ve indicated to...

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The Minister of FMBS, Mr. Roland, is correct that we have provided assistance in the past. We are currently doing work with operational reviews, because there are a number of boards that are struggling with their finances as well. It is not strictly an issue of poor management.

The Dogrib board was created in 1997 and, as already indicated, one of the biggest drivers of their deficit was the fact that there was never any funding for ambulance services. Rae is the only community that doesn’t have an airport or have a way to get people to Stanton. They...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there is an e-mail in my in basket upstairs that I haven’t had a chance to look at, but apparently we’ve got the first specific word from the federal government on the portion of money as it applies to waiting times. I just noticed it this morning. It’s fairly long and I haven’t had a chance to look at it, but that’s the one piece so far that they have agreed to. This is on the Canada health transfer side. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, in Yellowknife, extra funding has been provided to fund 20 additional beds, 10 at the Centre for Northern Families and 10 at the Salvation Army. This is for individuals and/or families for the winter months. In addition, through the Housing Corporation, they have worked with the YWCA to provide three additional units at the YWCA to address the needs of homeless individuals and families for what is left of the winter months. That’s been in place for the winter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this is the start of a collaborative effort within government, many departments to coordinate a response because there is overlap and this is a complex issue. If you keep in mind the United Nations definition where they distinguish between absolute homelessness and relative homelessness, absolute homelessness is somewhat more concrete and you can deal with the fact that people have no houses to stay in on a short-term basis. The longer term more difficult issue that has a tremendous connection in a host of areas is the issue of relative homelessness...

Madam Chair, we do have a contract and we do have in there clauses that allow for cost increases for things like the forced growth items that we experience as well. We negotiate a cost and we’ve changed how we negotiate. I believe it’s a five-year term, but I’ll have to double-check that. I know it has clauses built in that reflect the increased cost of business. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it’s too early for us to determine the success but, yes, the instruction has been issued already. The processes are in place with the authorities in terms of referrals. We have it set up where they work through Stanton. So the medevacs and medical travel are coordinated. We’ve taken the steps and we’re monitoring, of course, the usage and the cost. I’ll be able to report to committee, probably in the fall when we come back to start reviewing business plans, where we are and what the numbers are telling us.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I would be happy to provide Social Programs with the background work that led us to this position.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What I can tell the Member is this additional funding has been put in. I haven’t been made aware if this is deemed insufficient or there is a further crisis that’s not going to able to be handled in the short term. So I can’t answer the Member in any greater detail than I have already given her in terms of the current status or the waiting lists. My information is we have moved ahead on this and the money has been put to good use by the community of Yellowknife. It’s also been used to a certain extent in other communities that have required it on a case-by-case...