Great Slave

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

There are a variety of supports across the Government of the Northwest Territories that are available to all residents of the Northwest Territories in times of need. We have income support. We have housing that provides a number of different supports to residents of the Northwest Territories. I don't think we have enough time to list all of the things that they do, but I will say that part of the process of building stronger families is helping families connect with those resources that exist and helping identify the resources that will be appropriate for the times. Once again, I do want to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

As I indicated, the premise of Building Stronger Families is exactly that, building stronger families. This means, as somebody engages on a voluntary basis or whether we have been asked to engage as a result of concerns about safety, we will work with the family, identify the issues that we need to work on to build that family up so they are in a position to take care of their children in a healthy and safe way. If we do need to engage different departments, we would certainly get consent forms filled out so we can actually work with those departments in a legal way and make sure that the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

I feel strongly that the IRC has been a very proactive group when it comes to family support and other initiatives. They were a part of the groups that we actually engaged with in the development of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategic Framework, which is the foundation of the next documents moving forward including the recovery plan that we talked about previously.

Mr. Speaker, all levels of government have a role to play in supporting mental wellness. One of the key directions outlined in this strategic framework is to take a whole government approach. This includes Indigenous...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

I don't want to presuppose on the conclusions that will come out of the work that's being done. I do know that the standing committee will be making a number of recommendations. Many of those are focused on the information that they heard during the tour. We hope to incorporate those types of things, but until the work is done I would hate to presuppose exactly what this document is going to look like. It's a little early days, but I am committed to working with the Member, Members from small communities, Members from the standing committees, and the public and other stakeholders.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

Mr. Speaker, the Member did share with me a very informative video on the different options around harm control, including this particular drug. I did share that with the department and asked them to include it in their information to help them have an informed, current, modern addictions recovery action plan. I anticipate that that work will be done. I will confirm that it is part of the plan moving forward. It does not mean that we are committing to providing that drug because I think there are some issues with whether or not it is actually available in Canada or not, that we need to really...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

Mr. Speaker, I'm not going to create the additional work of having two parallel activities happening at the same time. We were working on the addictions recovery action plan. I hear the Member loud and clear. I hear the Members loud and clear. I feel the same way, and this is part of the work that we are intending to do in the addictions recovery action plan. So, rather than duplicating our efforts, I would prefer to keep us on track to that particular plan and include the work that the Members are suggesting.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to dealing with issues for youth, whether it is addictions or mental health issues, they are very complex, so they require a specific attention. Out-of-territory facility-based treatment for youth with complex needs, which may be addictions or it may be mental health issues are a number of facilities: we have the PLEA Community Services in BC that we utilize, the Wood's Homes in Alberta, and Ranch Ehrlo in Saskatchewan.

Youth attending an out-of-territory program are supported through Child and Family Services. The Trail Cross Treatment in Fort Smith provides some...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the Members of the House that the facilities are not the only option. There are community options available whether it is community on-the-land options or whether it is community counsellors or whether it is programs like the Matrix programs. However, facilities are the appropriate venue on some occasions.

When an individual needs a facility-based option, the counsellors will often work with them to explain all of the options and the pros and cons of the different facilities based on the needs of that individual. They will also look at availability. Is there...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

I know the Member is passionate about this particular area. The Member and I actually were part of the review that was done of Child and Family Services in the 16th Assembly that came up with 76 recommendations to improve Child and Family Services. I know the Member was also around when the most recent audit was done which actually gave some pretty negative results about the services provided by Child and Family Services. I also know the Member is aware of the recommendations made by Truth and Reconciliation to improve Child and Family Services.

Building Stronger Families builds on all those...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a number of years ago, we moved forward with a new approach to providing child and family services here in the Northwest Territories called Building Stronger Families. The premise and the intention behind Building Stronger Families is to move away from an apprehension system to a prevention system to support families. The bottom line is we want to find ways to support families so the children never have to be apprehended. In that model, it includes working with families to identify the challenges they are facing and come up with ways to address those issues...