Debates of February 1, 2006 (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It appears that we’re strong with…We’re starting with a bang in this first day of five weeks of session to come.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, my question, however, is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. It’s in regards to the respite care program. Mr. Speaker, for many months and the number of years I’ve been here, there has been a call for the need, or speaking about the need, for the respite care program. We’ve finally got one in Yellowknife. It’s being run by Abe Miller and the Association for Community Living. But, as far as I’m aware, it’s a pilot program and the last time I asked questions to the Minister, he indicated that he was reviewing the program with the view of continuing it. So I’m wondering if the Minister would tell this House where he’s at with that review process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of respite care is an issue of concern for all communities. We have had a pilot here. It has been evaluated. It can be very successful. We put the funds forward to carry down towards the end of the fiscal year and we are coming forward to continue the program and to look at expanding it outside of Yellowknife. That will be in the detail of the budget coming before this House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that answer and the efforts that the Minister and the government are making in that regard. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister stated, there is a huge need for this, and I think Members on this side of the floor have been getting lots of calls from those parents or caregivers who are able to get some relief, which is what this program is meant to do, except I think there is an opening for about a dozen placements and there is a waiting list of probably five times longer, if not longer than that. It seems like there is no system in place to move these services along. I would think that once someone has a need, it doesn’t really change. So I would like to know if the Minister has looked into how best to manage the programs, so that we serve as many people as possible but also give more people a chance to access that program. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member identifies some of the challenges that face us in the administration and delivery of this program, and we are working in Yellowknife to identify who will administer this and to identify the pool of available individuals who are willing and able to provide the respite service. So those are legitimate concerns and we are addressing those. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that we will probably have an opportunity to discuss this in detail as the days come along, but I am just wondering if the Minister could indicate to the House as to whether there were any programs under federal funding that he’s aware of, or are we already accessing any federal money on that? The previous government in Ottawa spoke about homecare funding and I guess we need time to sort out all the promises and commitments by various parties, but could he indicate to the House about any federal funding available for this? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For this particular program, we are looking at and intend to access or make use of the territorial health access fund that was agreed to by the former federal government back in September 2004.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe this is a pilot program. It’s running out of Yellowknife, but I have no doubt that this will have to expand to other communities. I am just wondering if the Minister could commit to this House to make this one of his priority issues to deal with his federal counterpart as soon as that person is known to advance this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 314-15(4): Respite Care Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have indicated in this House on previous occasions, this program is an important one and the intention is to move it outside of Yellowknife and provide the service as comprehensively as we can across the Northwest Territories. So, yes, we are eagerly waiting, as the Premier indicated, on the opportunity to find out who the new Ministers will be and we will be gathering and contacting them as soon as we can with a list. That particular item will be on that list. Thank you.