Debates of June 1, 2006 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement before, I spoke to the concerns of the women’s’ shelter in Inuvik and I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger, if he would commit to looking into the concerns and seeing if there’s anything he and his department can do to help finding a solution for the problems that are going on there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 27-15(5): Funding For The Inuvik Women’s Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d be pleased to do that. I’ll make that commitment that we’ll sit down and I’ll talk further with the Member and we’ll work with the Inuvik Health and Social Services Authority to make sure that we can try to address the issues. I’d also like to point out that we did add out of some of the federal money we had another $100,000 a year to the shelters. The five shelters we fund and the shelter directors got together and, I believe, agreed that Inuvik was one of the shelter’s that should get that money as opposed to some of the other ones, but I will make that commitment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 27-15(5): Funding For The Inuvik Women’s Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister for that. I’d like to ask the Minister if he’d communicate to the regional board the concerns of the frontline providers and the importance of having that good working relationship with these frontline workers. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 27-15(5): Funding For The Inuvik Women’s Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that kind of working relationship is critical at frontline levels and at every level. Once again, I’m aware of the concerns that the Member is talking about and I will, as well, commit to make sure that that’s part of our discussion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 27-15(5): Funding For The Inuvik Women’s Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during our pre-budget consultations there was a suggestion that the shelters be funded directly by Health and Social Services, because some of the money wasn’t always filtering through to the shelters. So I would like to ask the Minister if he and his department will consider an option like this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 27-15(5): Funding For The Inuvik Women’s Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a system, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a significant investment in setting up local authorities with representatives from the communities to administer almost 80 percent of the government’s or our Health and Social Service budget. Once again, I appreciate the Member’s concern. While it’s an option we’ll consider, our primary concern is still to try to work with the regions and the communities to ensure that these very valuable resources are supported the best way possible. Thank you.