Statements in Debates
I’ll get the Member an update on the current status. I will say that obviously we want to fill these positions with the professionals identified in the job description to provide the services that we are committed to providing, so we will always want to fill that with a social worker. But you’re right; some positions are proving hard to recruit and we need to be open to some creativity in order to find ways to continue to provide those services, regardless of our ability to staff or not staff positions.
Thank you, Madam Chair. One of the priorities of this unit has been since we’ve brought them over from the Department of Human Resources is to review the existing programs and services they are providing and start putting together a long-term strategic human resource plan for health professionals within the Northwest Territories. That work is still underway and we’re hoping to have a draft strategic human resource plan that we can bring to committee to have a discussion about things that we need to do and things we need to change. There are a number of areas in programs that we have delivered...
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’ll start off with the financial bit. We do have a $30 million reduction exercise coming in front of us the next couple of years to make up some of the financial shortfalls that we are aware of. We can never ignore that there are those challenges in front of us.
Having said that, this government, with support of committee, has done a significant amount of work on mental health and addictions. We have options in front of our residents today that did not exist previously. A resident who requires detox can go to one of our hospitals and receive detox. Withdrawal management...
Thank you, Madam Chair. There are a couple new positions within this unit. The anti-poverty coordinator position is in this unit. I’m going to go to the deputy minister for the specific details.
Yes, these are grants and contributions going to the health authorities. Then under fees and payments, insured services for non-NWT residents went up $4 million.
Thank you, Madam Chair. According to the report distributed previously, as of October 31, 2013, there were nine vacant positions in the Sahtu. Currently, of those nine positions, six have been filled, two are in competition in progress and there’s still one that needs to be advertised. We haven’t gone out for staffing on that one, or, rather, the Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority is waiting to get that in the queue.
There are O and M dollars associated in some of these program areas; salary is a portion. But for some of the specifics to help explain the accounting behind some of this, I’ll go to Ms. Mathison.
I don’t remember what I said.
On page 8-11 it shows 1,392 positions in the authorities. Those are all established funded positions. The authorities manage their budgets, manage their staff to provide the services that are outlined and they believe they need these positions to do them. I’m not aware of the authorities planning to make any of these positions inactive or to reactivate any other positions, but they may, but that is not the expectation. The expectation is they’ll fill positions and provide the services that are required.
Hold on one second.