Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This week is Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Week. I would like to recognize how the government has increased emphasis on and support for training apprenticeship opportunities and occupational certification over the past few years. This is paying off. We will need these graduates to work on the highways and pipelines in our future. There are many advantages to taking a trade. A person can work often in their own community and attend tiers of training at Aurora College and/or colleges down south.
Occupational certification programs provide similar advantages. As new certificates are developed, workers can go through a program of work experience and training and get recognized credentials in their field. As well, when employers are hiring, they can be assured that applicants have competencies. MACA’s development of occupational standards is a good example as it has helped bands and municipalities to improve the skills of their staff.
People in my riding of Nahendeh have benefited from these programs, Mr. Speaker. This year there were three apprenticeship graduates. Enos Tonka, has an apprenticeship as a carpenter. Mr. Nathan Taylor has a heavy duty equipment technician and as well Mark O’Neill, formerly of Fort Simpson, as an automotive service technician. Shawn Gillis, who works for the Village of Fort Simpson, received an occupational certificate as a recreational facility operator specializing in skating rinks. I am pleased to congratulate these men for their achievements. I am pleased that the government has supported these endeavours. I commend all apprentices throughout the North and those who are planning to attend, because our North needs you. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON
ADEQUATE SUPPORTS FOR
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Health care is one of the most important services this government can provide to our residents and communities across the Northwest Territories. It’s not easy. Many challenges the northern health care providers face are truly unique to the North. For many small, remote communities all across the North, such as Nunakput, the community centres provide a large range of services for the average flu, regular elderly examinations and, in some cases, even emotional wellness programs. These are many reasons why this is so critical for this government to adequately provide not only the resources but the technical and administrative support to all communities. Health care centres can provide proper health care services.
Mr. Speaker, during my recent visits to Nunakput communities, speaking with the leadership, most centres lack the basic requirements in addition to resources, medical professionals or specialists visiting the community and are seriously eroding the standard of care this government is committed to providing.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in previous Member’s statements, the staff in the community health care centres when they work they almost have to improvise. This government must step up and implement all various recommendations and suggestions through the years of various reports from local governments.
In Nunakput, the communities, if there is a serious condition the plane leaves from Inuvik and has to fly into the community and sometimes it takes five to six hours for a medevac before they can see a doctor. Especially health care centres, they must be adequately equipped as clinics such as Inuvik and Yellowknife. We all know how fast medical conditions can progress in even one or two months. The situation means the difference between life and death, as I have expressed in several Member’s statements over these last 18 months.
Health centre staff and nurses are working very hard in trying to ensure the best medical service that they can provide, but this government needs to help. This government needs to devote the resources to ensure the problems do not affect the quality of care to our residents, but it needs to ensure that the shortages that are experienced in small, remote communities aren’t always bearing the brunt of it all.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
