Great Slave

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Avens is an incredibly important partner. We’re working closely right now with them to look at the different areas where they’re having some financial pressure. One of the things that’s come up is the decrease in revenues and how that’s affecting the overall operations. We’re working closely with Avens to explore these different things, find out what’s happening, and find a way to ensure that they’re getting the money they need and that the money that they’re getting is being spent on the core services that they’re so good at providing. Thank you, Mr...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

To be clear, Avens indicated that they are not planning to reinitiate the day program at this time, but there is certainly consideration for doing it at some point. Because they have been such a valuable partner in the provision of services to seniors in Yellowknife, we are hoping to continue that relationship, but I have acknowledged that, should we not be able to do that, we will certainly look at other alternatives. Immediately, our first priority needs to be working with Avens to make sure that they are delivering and continue to deliver the highquality core programs they do, which would...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

The Member has described the process. She did not get it exactly right. In fact, the Department of Health and Social Services collaborated with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services authority and Avens staff to conduct a review of the previous day program; so it is a joint report that was prepared.

We did provide that final copy to the board, who has had an opportunity to review it, and they have indicated that they are comfortable with us sharing this document. It is a shared document. I was not comfortable releasing it without their support. They have indicated their support...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Seniors' Information Handbook, September 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

The department is just one of the partners in putting these tools together. The NWT Seniors' Society is also a key partner in the work that has been done in this area. We are certainly going to work with the NWT Seniors' Society as well as other seniors' societies to find the best way to get that information out to seniors. I know that the NWT Seniors' Society, through the NWT Network to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults, have been around since 2009, and they try to get information out to our seniors and to our elders across the Northwest Territories. We are going to continue to work with them to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department provides about $205,000 annually to the NWT Seniors' Society, and they do a number of things with those dollars. They support the Senior Citizens' Month. They support the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council. They also provide community outreach programs. Of that $205,000, $90,000 is allocated to support the Network to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults and different activities.

This has also led to a significant number of resources that are available. I believe they are on the NWT Seniors' Society website, but they are also on the GNWT website and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re not funding an operational review at this point in time, but we are working closely with them to do an analysis of their programs or services and the areas that we provide funding. The department flows funding for operations of Avens Manor long-term care facility for the operation of Avens cottages, the operation of the territorial dementia facility through the NWT Health and Social Services Authority. The three groups are working together to figure out how those dollars are being allocated, if it’s enough, if it’s not enough, how we can improve...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Avens, as I indicated, has always been a fantastic partner for the provision of services for seniors here in Yellowknife and, really, for residents across the Northwest Territories. They are having some financial difficulties right now. They are trying to ensure that they are spending their money wisely, and we are working closely with Avens right now to make sure that they can continue to move forward to provide core services. We obviously would like them to continue day services, but we really need to understand where they are financially. Once we have a...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Our first priority is to work with Avens because they have been a highquality provider of services in the past, and in many ways, they still are. They are providing highquality core services to their residents. When Avens does consider re-establishing the program once their finances are in order, they were hoping to use or they, rather, intend to use the report that was provided and will be shared to help them design a safe, effective, and responsive day program. Our first priority is to work with them to see if we could find a way to get to that place. If we cannot, obviously, we will have to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 84)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to meet with the board of Avens earlier in September, and it was clear to me at that meeting that they are very passionate about the programs and services that they provide. There is certainly an interest in doing a day program, but at this point in time, they indicated that they want to focus on the delivery of core services that they are providing so that they can continue to provide an incredibly high level of services to their residents. Right now, given some of the financial pressures, they had to make some hard choices, and they...