Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That money was put in in anticipation of changes and, as the Member knows, we are discussing making some changes and we will need the resources still.
Thank you, not only as the Minister of Health and Social Services but as his colleague and what I consider to be his friend, I would not want to do anything to raise his heart rate or temperature.
Seriously, on the social worker situation, the last I was aware of it from our visits, there were some personal things like, the Member mentioned housing, but I believe one of the workers were in a relationship with somebody in Norman Wells. We live in a small town where personal backgrounds could determine where one who’s hired could decide to leave and such. What I would like to do is, I haven’t had...
As would be the case with other positions, we would use locums to fill those positions as there are no permanent ones. Thank you.
Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act.
The Member is aware and we’ve had discussions with the committee about a way to go forward. I would like to just reiterate that we are committed to providing support to the families who are under the YACL program. Yellowknife Health and Social Services is currently negotiating a contribution agreement with YACL so that we continue to provide the programs to those families who are currently getting the services from YACL as we work toward a respite care program. I have communicated that to the Members and I’m happy to confirm that again in the House today. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member laid out in his statement, there are various components that are being conducted right now, including the community workshops. So we expect that the work will be done by April/May in time for next year’s business cycle. Thank you.
As I stated in the opening statement, there were 72 recommendations to CFSA. We are making this report available a month sooner than required because we do appreciate that Members want to take a look at that. As I stated, we are supportive of the majority of the recommendations. We are moving immediately on 22 and there are others that we support but need legislation change and working with other departments. We do provide a detailed response to those recommendations. I do believe we have ample time to review those. The issue that the Member raised, yes, we are working with other departments...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a program that we support and we agree with the Members that it does benefit and we would like to see them expanded as the financial resources permit. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would.
Mr. Chairman, we must work together with our residents, communities, governments and agencies to meet the health and social services challenges that we face, to help ensure a sustainable health care system for the future.
Today I am presenting the Department of Health and Social Services’ main estimates for fiscal year 2011-2012.
Across Canada and internationally, leaders are being faced with difficult choices around the sustainability and accessibility of health care. It is no different for us in the Northwest Territories. We know that we need to make...