Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 06/00) - Combating family violence was the main focus during the first week of legislative assembly's fall sitting.
MLAs pointed out that the government has come woefully short of meeting its 1994 target to eliminate family violence by this year.
"If the lack of financial resources is a problem, then it means we must measure in a meaningful manner the effectiveness of existing programs," said Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod Friday.
Steve Nitah noted that family violence is not confined to spouses and children, calling on the government to provide shelter facilities for elders in abusive situations.
"There are no NWT laws protecting elders from abuse. Some elders are really suffering. There are no shelters for them to go to," said the Tu Nedhe MLA.
Health and Social Services Minister Jane Groenewegen agreed that the problem is pervasive. She said that in 1999 there were 436 reported incidents of spousal assaults by males and that in 1997-98 the use of shelters in the NWT was five times the national average.
Groenewegen noted the government launched an awareness campaign for Family Violence Awareness Week and on Wednesday began a pilot program to help women and children recover from violent family situations.
Where's the money?
The government's financial situation has improved, but only slightly, reported Finance Minister Joe Handley last Tuesday.Responding to questions from Inuvik MLA, Floyd Roland, Handley said the government anticipates an increase in the amount of federal funding it will receive this year.
The increases are linked to the formula used to calculate the annual federal grant and result in increases in provincial and territorial government spending.
"Even with the revenue improvements we are still projecting operating deficits in future years, and still expect to hit our federal borrowing limit toward the end of this government's term of office," said Handley.
There is a $300 million limit on the amount of debt the territorial government can carry.
Roland reminded Handley that before the assembly's summer break there was talk of getting an answer on new funding by the fall.
Handley noted the government, like all provincial and territorial governments, received additional health dollars from the federal government but has yet to get a response from Ottawa on its non-renewable resources strategy.
Night raiders
They've got some pushy -- and dangerous -- bison down Providence way.Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod called on the government to do something about bison that are coming into Providence at night, damaging property and attacking dogs.
"It's not a rare occasion that this happens," said McLeod. "It is on a nightly basis. I am starting to think that the bison are scared of the dark because they are all in town every night."
Wildlife Minister Joe Handley said officials are working with the local wildlife committee to find a solution to the problem.
"If necessary, and if it is at the direction of the wildlife committee, we would have to destroy some of the bison," said Handley.
Handley said he would find out, if the government is liable if someone is killed by a bison.
