Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My last question is related to the staffing of the program or the facility. On the issue of staffing, can the Minister also tell us what steps have been taken to address the concerns raised by the staff of the North Slave Correctional Centre? Mahsi.
Yes, the Member opposite is quite correct. There were concerns raised by the staff. There were a number of concerns, including staffing and safety at the facility. I can assure you that these concerns are important to the staff and that safety is paramount among those concerns.
Management at the North Slave Correctional Centre has been conducting regular occupational health and safety meetings and joint consultation meetings with the staff. In addition, they have met with the union or the workers about these same concerns. Stemming and arising from these meetings, several things have been done: improved communication whereby staff have better access to meeting minutes and are involved in changes to policies and standing operating procedures, orientation for supervising inmate recreational activities. In 2017, training in the area of de-escalation techniques, violence prevention, and responsibility surrounding the use of force was delivered through the Corrections Northern Recruitment Training Program to new recruits. Planned training in the areas of crisis negotiations and rectifications, those are among the programs that we have instituted or are being continued at the facility to improve conditions that have been raised quite properly by both the inmates and staff. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls held its meeting here in Yellowknife and will continue to meet people across Canada. My question is to the Minister responsible for Justice: what is the role of the Northwest Territories Department of Justice in supporting, monitoring, and following up on the work of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls? Mahsi.
Masi. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The commission, of course, is an individual commission and does not have any employees within or from any of the territories. The department and this government does realize that violence against Indigenous women is a national crisis. This has been borne out by what we have heard from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Inquiry.
We are assisting the GNWT with a dedicated family information liaison unit that is a research team to help the victims find relevant documents from across the country. We are assisting in that way. We are not part of the staff of the commission because, as I said, they have to be independent, but we are assisting. Thank you.
What is the status of the Northwest Territories Men's Healing Program? To the Minister of Justice, again.
As Members will recall, this program has been under new management since June of last year. I understand that the program is working quite successfully. There have been quite a few men who have indicated interest in the program, so there was a seamless delivery of the program as the new management took over last year, or rather, July.
How will this programming be enhanced in the coming year?
As I mentioned, there was a seamless delivery of the program as the new management took over, but that doesn't mean that we haven't been looking at improvements, so here are some of the improvements we are contemplating: we want to make the program more flexible so that men will be able to join the group as soon as they are ready and get back into the program should they drop out. The program is more connected to community programs, such as counselling, victim services; an enhanced screening and referral process ensures continuity of service for men who are not ready to join a group so they can be referred to other groups for assistance.
The programming is more connected to the programming that the Correction Service offers. A New Day is not appropriate for delivery in the correctional facility itself, so outreach is targeted to offenders who are being released and can then join the program. So those are some of the enhancements and improvements that we are making.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance recently announced the initiative to advance the idea of a historical case unit. I want to understand: would the Minister of the Department of Justice know what role that his department will play in basically going forward with that initiative and how perhaps that process could provide a level of support and assurances to families of missing persons? Mahsi.
Yes, I believe the Member opposite, Mr. Speaker, is referring to the unit within the RCMP that will be looking at historical cases. I can advise that we'll be working closely with the RCMP with respect to this matter. I meet with a commanding officer, Mr. Zettler, quarterly. This is an issue that I would certainly raise with him. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier, my statement was on addictions and mental health and the impacts of accessibility to drugs and alcohol to the residents of Tuktoyaktuk after the opening of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is: can the Minister provide a status update of the development of the addictions recovery action plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some initial activities to develop the mental health and addictions recovery action plan are under way. We're compiling key findings. We're looking forward to seeing the report from committee on suggestions of things that we need to do better. We're pulling together best practices from around other jurisdictions to help inform further discussion. We've also put together, or we're in the process of putting together, an interdepartmental working group of social envelope departments as well as the NWT Health and Social Services Authority in the Tlicho Community Services Agency. It's our expectation or intention to engage with members of the public and NGO partners as well as Indigenous governments by inviting them to provide feedback on the initial document that will be produced. We're also in the process right now of developing an engagement plan to help us move through this entire process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the update. Mr. Speaker, my second question to the Minister is: what kind of actions will the plan propose to address unique needs of small communities, especially the ones like Tuktoyaktuk are facing and intense rapid change to the community?
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.
It's good to see that the Minister is open to working with Regular Members on important issues like this. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: how will Health and Social Services addictions treatment and prevention programming include a public awareness campaign as being part of the government's approach to the legalization of cannabis?
When it comes to cannabis, our goal is to protect residents, especially children and youth, from second-hand cannabis smoke exposure. Also, in some ways more important, we want to make sure that residents have the facts on the risks of cannabis and its use on the developing brain. This is an area that I think we need to put some additional attention on to create awareness of so that young people and pregnant and nursing women understand the risks and impacts of cannabis on that developing brain.
Officials within the department have begun meeting to design a public education awareness campaign and we have actually submitted an application to Health Canada requesting funding to support the efforts that we're undertaking in this particular area. Officials from the department are working not just in the department of Health and Social Services but Education, Culture and Employment and other departments to develop some public education and awareness to help residents become aware of the impacts and why they should avoid utilizing or using cannabis, whether it's a smoked form or an ingested form.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. During the last constituency tour, residents of small communities were somewhat concerned and wondering how the government is going to roll out its action plan and as well as the looking at the legislation for cannabis.
Mr. Speaker, my final question: the Minister mentioned he would work with local Indigenous governments and Regular Members on addictions and wellness. I just wonder, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could give a few details on how the government will work with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation on addictions and wellness programs in Nunakput. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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 governments like the IRC, and we're committed to working with them as we move forward to explore new and creative ways of doing things. The work of all levels of government is important to making this a reality, and we're committed to working with them and all of our partners moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. I would like to ask the Minister: what are the Department of Infrastructure's plans for future infrastructure projects in the Mackenzie Delta? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, we have the Building Canada Plan. In the 2017-2018 budget, we spent $4.5 million and in 2018-2019, we plan to spend another $4.5 million in this region, but on January 11th, maybe some Members of the House weren't aware. When we weren't sitting, the Minister or the MP McLeod and myself were in Behchoko and did an announcement around Bundle 3. In Bundle 3 is $2.5 million that will be spent on the Dempster between 2009 and 2024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Can the Minister elaborate on what planning and timelines are associated with the winter road between Inuvik and Fort Good Hope for an ice road from Tsiigehtchic to Fort Good Hope? Also, a new Mackenzie Valley highway from Inuvik to Wrigley.
As all Members of the House know, we have our submission on the Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley to Norman Wells, a $700 million asset we have within the National Trade Corridors Fund. The second that the Member is referring to from Tsiigehtchic to Fort Good Hope is something that has not been contemplated by this government at this time.
The last government addressed the plans for the department to actually have a winter road from Inuvik by Campbell Lake to Fort Good Hope. I would like to ask the Minister if he knows why those changes were made and, if he needs a little more time for providing that information, can he provide that.
I will endeavour to look into the department to find out exactly about that. As we all know in this House, we have high-priority infrastructure needs across the whole system, including the Dempster Highway. There is a limited amount of funds. We have a significant ask into the federal government of $1.8 billion for Trade Corridors Fund, which is a significant ask. Our fiscal capacity to be able to meet these demands going forward would be significant. Winter Road, I believe a number of years ago, the number I hear is $800,000 to put that piece in. It is something that I don't think this government can afford at this time.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the only reasoning behind these questions during my constituency meeting was for major projects for creating work in our region. What major projects can we foresee in the future for the Beaufort Delta? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There are a number of projects that are ongoing right now that are in process. We have the seniors' building in Fort McPherson that is being completed. James Creek Maintenance Camp is on the books. That needs to be coming forward. We are working with Aboriginal governments in the region to move that project forward. We have the new air terminal going into Inuvik, which is a significant amount in the last capital budget. There are other ongoing projects in the region that will contribute to the economy of the region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about Child and Family Services. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services questions on that. I would like to ask the Minister if there is a way that he could obtain income information on families with children in care or the families of children who have been apprehended. Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
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, which, in many situations, may include some of the financial challenges that families are under.
We have recently piloted a situation where we worked closely with the Housing Corporation where individuals were looking like they were going to get evicted and we have actually provided them with some financial support to avoid an eviction and then worked with them on the development of a plan to get them back on a positive financial path. We are prepared and we do look at financial situations of individuals on a case-by-case basis. Finances may not always be the reason that engagement with Child and Family Services is necessary. When it is, we are looking at finding ways to provide some supports to them to help families stay united and together and build stronger families as opposed to tearing families apart. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am sort of hearing that the Department of Health and Social Services is sharing information with other social departments. I would like the minister to confirm that. Are the social departments, Housing, Justice, and the Department of Education, sharing information with Health and Social Services on the clients? Those specific clients I am referring to are people who have children in care or children in foster care.
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 clients are aware that their information is being discussed. In fact, the families should be engaged in that, as well. We won't share information without consent with other departments. Where consent is provided and it is about building that stronger family, we are absolutely prepared to work with those families.
The pilot we did recently with the Housing Corporation showed where that could really make a difference. We were able to find and work with families who were having troubles with rent. We actually came to the table with some finances to help them for the short term. We developed a plan. We had the Housing Corporation engaged to make sure they wouldn't evict them during this process so that we could keep families together rather than tearing them apart.
I think the system has improved a lot. I agree. I would like to ask the Minister if there could be something more active. By that I mean: I know that we are talking about the same people who are losing their children to the foster care system or the children are being apprehended, are using the health system more than the average individuals of the same age group who are in the correction facilities and so on. An active, integrated case-management process for individual families that have children who are apprehended, I am wondering if the Minister could just talk a little bit about that to ensure that we know exactly why the children are in care. If there is anything we can do, we should be doing that. I would like to ask the Minister about that.
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 recommendations, including the recommendations of the TRC. As I said, it is about providing supports to families to keep them together, to keep them united. We are prepared to use the tools and resources that are available to us, which includes integrated case management where appropriate. There are certain criteria that are utilized to determine when integrated case management should be used. We are working with families.
I do want to be clear that we are not where we need to be. We are still a long way from where we need to be on supporting families and keeping them united and keeping them strong. We are on the right path. There is a ways to go. I am committed to continuing this work. I am committed to working with committee. I am committed to finding ways to increase our partnerships with not just other government departments but government organizations to keep our families together rather than tearing them apart.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that. Financial support, I think, is something that the families need. It appears as though, when individuals are on income support or if they are having trouble with the justice system, that is not quite enough money to be able to provide all of the things you need to provide for children. At the end of the day, one thing leads to another. I don't think it is coincidental that the poorest people are the ones who have their children apprehended. That is not always the case, but that is often the case. I am wondering if the Minister could talk about or tell me what type of financial supports exist in all of the social departments to keep that family together. Thank you.
