Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is as good an opportunity as any to bring this up. I notice that the Minister’s opening remarks, with the eight pages…. As highlighted by another Member, it seems to be lacking in recognition or a plan — or, I should say, even further — on addictions. Addictions, as we know, is a very significant problem here. It’s horrible. That’s all I’m going to say. I could probably go on at length about that. The fact is that addictions isn’t highlighted. I’ve looked through the budget, and of course, we don’t have any specific line item for addictions.

The problem with that...

There is another area I forgot to mention, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring it up. I’ve heard from a number of nurses — and it’s been heard by a number of Members throughout this Assembly, and I’m sure even the Minister must have heard this from time to time.... The nursing staff have been described as over-prescribed in work and undersubscribed in relief. Does the Minister — speaking of Stanton specifically — have a grip on the actual numbers of staffing of nurses there, and how many? Is there a difference between how many we have staffed and how many we have in the sense of funded...

I appreciate that answer. I respect that. We certainly want to be very inclusive on specific legislation like this, because it’s very important to us. When can I expect that type of communication and consultation to come out to the general public?

Mr. Chairman, I’m just trying to get a sense of all of this. We have a Telehealth coordinator in headquarters, and that makes sense to me. As to whether we need a coordinator or not, I’m not in a position to say yes or no. But then we lose the Telehealth person at Stanton. I’m just trying to follow the format here. That’s not seen as a position that needs to be kept, but the duties could be spread out.

Again, I’m not necessarily speaking for or against the reduction. But then we lose one in Inuvik and it gets reinstated because the program can’t run without that person, but then in the...

I actually didn’t hear the answer. I was trying to listen very carefully. Would the Minister be willing to get out there and call for a public dialogue on these issues to make sure that we’re hearing the needs of our citizens out there and absolutely making sure we’re meeting the basic needs of our citizens?

How much money is housed in that CARE program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From my spot I don’t know if they’re still up there, but I certainly would like to make recognition of Cecily Hewitt and Bill Burles, both constituents of mine. When I came in earlier, they were both in the gallery. I certainly hope they’re still there.

I appreciate the president’s point of view. He and I probably agree very closely on this matter. In some cases accessible living just means you have a unit to access on the main floor. It means you don’t have to go upstairs. Accessible living could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I would agree further that not everyone needs the full-blown fit up.

But, Mr. Chairman, I think the housing pool is a little thin out there — I can’t speak for the territorial communities, but I can certainly speak for Yellowknife community — and that’s presenting a challenge.

To elaborate...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just would like some overview on the Minister’s thoughts. I noticed some of the opening comments seemed to be missing some highlights where disabilities were concerned, from my point of view.

I have a number of constituents. From time to time they come forward, and they discuss the issue of housing, accessible housing, and the sense of what stock exists there. I’ve got constituents who just don’t have anywhere else to go. They’re waiting for opportunities that don’t exist.

I’m just curious what the Minister is doing about the situation, in light that it’s pretty thin...

Mr. Speaker, I thank Members for not naying that, of course. I just want to make special mention of Daryl Dolynny. He’s up there in the gallery. He’s the owner of Shoppers. He’s presently the Chair of the Yellowknife Community Foundation. I think he’s the past president of Stanton Foundation. He’s here today to watch the Pharmacy Act get through first reading. He says if it’s not done by 4 p.m., he has to sneak off to be a swim coach today. So he’s many things to Yellowknife. He’s an important guy.