Tom Beaulieu

The project to turn the operating room into a super clean operating room is out to tender now. Our objective is to have the operating room operational, I guess, on April of 2012, this coming year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason that the Stanton Territorial Health Authority is not actively doing elective joint replacement surgeries at this time is due to ongoing renovations to the ventilation system. They have to achieve a super clean operating room in order to do joint replacements because there is high possibility of infection with that type of surgery.

The Member is right that this is an issue across a lot of jurisdictions who are unable to get physicians to go to a lot of their rural areas. However, our whole system in dealing with the federal government is not specific to recruiting doctors. We do have discussions with the federal government on the Health Accord and the federal government provides money through the Health Accord to the government, which portions of it can be used for recruiting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the Government Operations committee appointments motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

I’d just quickly like to thank the constituents of Tu Nedhe, Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. Although I was acclaimed, it was due to the large support that I received from the people in both communities as I went around to the communities, both communities several times over the last four years and essentially I guess almost campaigned for four years as my style was to go out and visit the people. It seemed the people responded well to that and I got, from what I see, almost unanimous support in the communities. So I’d like to thank...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of people. There’s no one in the audience from Res or Lutselk’e, but I’d like to recognize my sweetie, Monique Marinier, and also my cousin Alfonse from Whati.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Social Programs would like to report on transition matters.

As the 16th Legislative Assembly draws to a close, the Standing Committee on Social Programs continues to monitor a variety of important issues and initiatives. Through this transition report the committee wishes to highlight areas Members believe will require continued attention in the 17th Assembly.

The Standing Committee on Social Programs is comprised of five Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly. The committee’s role is to consider the following with respect to the departments...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will be addressing the elders of Tu Nedhe in my language.

[English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The committee has done preliminary research on special courts across North America where accused persons with mental health issues are diverted from mainstream courts and corrections systems. The goal is for program participants to take responsibility for their actions, and receive treatment and support to deal with their conditions. The results are encouraging, including lowering rates of reoffending among diversion participants. The committee’s research has been forwarded to the Ministers of Justice and Health and Social Services for consideration and further work.

Alon...

[English translation not provided.]