Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Yes, thank you. It says here, Premier's office provides Premier and the Ministers' office with political communication, strategic operation, advice and coordinations and, you know, and all related to political commitment. And in here in the business plan, it says, you know, part of the mandate is to encourage private -- or not encourage, not there, but where was it? Okay, no, that's okay, but still, okay. You know, encourage private investment in housing by reducing administrative and regulatory barriers. That's, you know, the mandate. The target, one of the targets is EIA, MACA and Housing...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why access to Larga accommodations is strictly tied to prior GNWT-approved medical travel even in cases where a resident experiences an unforeseen medical emergency while away? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I second it and support this motion to see positive change. I advocated and talked countless times in this House about improving the system, strengthening the system. We need to find ways of helping and working with the children and youth in care. In the process, work with the families. We know many of the descendants -- many of the children in care are descendants of the residential school survivors.

Mr. Speaker, we are in a crisis situation. We have said it many times. Families and children do need help. At this time, there are over 90 percent of children...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I just have one question. But before I start, you know, when this institution was first born in the '60s, MLAs were people that we were not familiar with. Since that time, we have come a long way, so which is good, and it's good to see this department or division dealing with wide variety of issues concerning Indigenous. So I am, you know, quite pleased about that, and I am, you know, grateful -- I mean, I am thankful that, you know, my colleagues are asking, you know, all kinds of questions regarding this division -- within this area. But the questions...

Thank you. Okay. NWT wraparound services, my colleague just talked about that. Okay, it's 36 for the upcoming fiscal year, and it's funding provided. It's an agreement with the Government of Canada on crime prevention to support NWT wraparound services. You know, these are the forgotten people that we keep, you know -- it's regarding that, but, you know, the funding is coming from a specific -- for the specific cost. But the forgotten people that I mentioned is that I would like to mention here, people leaving the correctional centre, you know. This is -- I am sure a lot of them will benefit...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what has the department done to identify gaps in supervision and structured care for residents with special needs in the Tlicho region, and what specific steps has it taken to address those gaps? Thank you.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker, in Behchoko and across Tlicho region, families continue to raise serious concerns about the absence of a dedicated facility to support residents with special needs. For individuals with special needs, stability and routine are essentials to well-being. When supports are not available locally, Mr. Speaker, they are sent away to regional centres or even down south for care. Removing them from their home community can increase anxiety, escalate behaviours, and leave them feeling isolated.

Mr. Speaker, this separation also places a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the ongoing concerns raised by families, will the Minister commit to advancing the development of a dedicated special needs facility in Behchoko and/or other Tlicho communities? Thank you.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

I want to ask the Minister what services are currently available in Tlicho region for residents with special needs, and how many residents are currently receiving care outside their home community due to a lack of local supports. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Thank you for the information. I live in Tlicho region. I haven't heard of any tourism happening in the region. Maybe the fishing lodge. But, anyways, I want to go on to the next item.

For future explorations, you know, there's an increase of NWT Indigenous, NWT residents employment in the natural resource sector. We know that, okay, the diamond mines are closing. We have no control over that because it's our market -- you know, it's a market that we have no control over. But we know that there's the -- the gold price is up. So I just wanted to ask the Minister -- because I do...