Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s long answer without the information I was asking for. Mr. Speaker, I need to know from the Minister if he could provide me, inside or outside of this House, information as to how many mental health and addictions workers are going to be hired under this program. How many of the incumbents would need extra training and what specific training proposals are being considered to bring in the new people? Mr. Speaker, I will remind the Minister that we approved the budget already in March. It’s high time that the department has a plan in place...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I must say that the answer that the Minister has provided is a very good “let’s stay in the box” answer as we were warned against in our Circle of Northern Leaders meeting in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, I must state clearly for the record that I do support this program. My questions are in terms of how they are being implemented. Second of all, I do also agree that in all these positions, we need to have people who are properly trained. I am not questioning any of that. It is irresponsible of the government to roll out these programs and require these job requirements when...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s good to know, because I have some who are watching who wanted to know what is happening here. It’s good to know there has not been a reduction in coverage of pharmaceutical products. If there is no change in policies, it appears that it really is resulting from lack of complete communication between their insurance coverage office and the pharmacies around the NWT who usually just give pharmaceutical products to seniors without taking any cash from them, so there is no need to do paperwork on the part of the seniors. Can I ask the Minister to make sure that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize our good friend and former Speaker of this House, Mr. Tony Whitford. I just wanted to let him know that it’s good to see him here and I miss him very much, too. Not disrespecting the current incumbent from Kam Lake.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to recognize Mr. Lougheed. I believe we all miss him. I’ve watched him as I was growing up and I admire him very much. I welcome him to the North. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a short comment on my position on this motion. I have supported the introduction of this motion in this House because I do believe it is a topic worthy of discussion and my honourable colleague from Inuvik Twin Lakes has been working diligently to advance this item. I thought it was a good idea to have it out here and to get feedback from the Members and to get our position known to the people and parties outside of this assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I will not be supporting this motion as it is written in terms of what it is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister brings up a few valid points. I guess if some of these positions are going to be grandfathered, there are no further issues with respect to those incumbents who could benefit from that. But as the Minister indicated, those people who are under community wellness worker training, that’s one of the examples where it’s working. My point is there is no training available to implement this program currently in place, and the suggestion being proposed by authorities that are responsible for implementing this is if you had someone who could do this job but doesn...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope the seniors of the community will forgive me if I speak about something that is not related to seniors this day.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend the good luck send off for the Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut team that are currently, as we speak, competing for the NWT in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, this year, the team consisted of 20 gold medal winners from the NWT and six from Nunavut. I have, over the years, enjoyed observing and partaking in some of the events that they have held. I have watched a lot of territorial games, and I hope...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Continuing on with the participants: Kelvin Redvers in TV video productions from Diamond Jenness High School; Justin Shelley in culinary arts from Sir John Franklin High School; Mara Smith for worksite safety from Sir John Franklin High School; Jeremy Studney in aircraft maintenance from Buffalo Airways; Stephen Walsh in welding from Kingland Ford; Kyle Wheaton in small powered equipment from Sir John Franklin High School; Allen Christiansen in heavy duty equipment mechanical from Finning; Duncan Hamre in IT PC network support from Sir John...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier, and it is with regard to the Member’s statement by Mr. Zoe earlier today. Mr. Speaker, I can’t say that I know all of the details that pertain to the incident that led to the statement by Mr. Zoe today, but I have had the opportunity to speak to those who have more knowledge about it, and my understanding is that the incident was quite serious, and one that has brought disrepute and questioned the integrity of this House. Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you that I take membership in this assembly as a privilege that is very...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my commitment to speak on the issues related to senior citizens, I am happy to highlight a pamphlet that arrived in my Member’s e-mail box this morning rather fortuitously. Mr. Speaker, that has to do with the Team NWT to the Canada Senior Games competition beginning in September of this year in Whitehorse.

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Senior Games is a national program to sponsor wellness, spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing among Canadians 50 years of age and older. Provincial and territorial programs come together annually or bi...