Debates of June 1, 2006 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to follow up on my request or my Member’s statement of yesterday wherein I spoke about the leasing of community health services. In recent correspondence with the Minister of Justice, he indicates to me he is working in tandem with the Department of Health and Social Services in trying to address how we best service the needs of our very small communities and one of the success stories is the operation in Gameti this year. The Department of Justice is touring the North. Is the Department of Justice going to tour the NWT? I know they are in Nunavut this week, but will they be coming to the NWT to look at our small communities, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have a group of officials from my department, from the RCMP who are working on a small Community Policing Strategy. I am not sure if he’s referring to the federal Justice officials who are touring Nunavut. I don’t know their schedule, but if that is what the Member is referring to, I can certainly find out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister is absolutely correct; there is a federal tour happening in Nunavut. I am just wondering if that tour is going to come to the NWT and look at our small communities and our challenges, which I am sure the Minister has been lobbying for in Ottawa. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly find out. The Member is right that I have said the department’s foremost priority is to get additional resources on the ground in our smaller communities. Members know there are 13 communities that currently don’t have a permanent police presence. Of course, they are served out of the larger centres and I think we do a very good job with the resources we have, but I have made the case to the federal government that we have pressing needs. There are pressures coming from development. We need a strategy, we need more resources and we will continue to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister spoke of needing a strategy, but I am sure they are developing a strategy like the Gameti example of this spring. Are there more plans to do that in some of the other smaller communities such as Holman, Wrigley, Nahanni Butte, for example, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the RCMP are evaluating the pilot in Gameti. We originally thought it would potentially take two officers. We had to bring in additional reinforcements. I think we are up to five or six officers at a time for periods in Gameti. It was, by all accounts, very, very successful. We will continue to evaluate. We will look at other communities where there are pressures. My focus in Wrigley is to try to get a permanent police presence, but if there are other things that we need to do in the interim in addition to our small community strategy, I am prepared to discuss those. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can just assure the Minister that this side of the House will support any initiatives the Minister puts forward with regard to small communities. Is there a special action team that the Minister has with Health and Social Services to address health concerns and policing at the same time, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 31-15(5): Need For Permanent Nursing And Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been discussing this with my colleague, the Minister of Health. We do have a Social Envelope Ministers Committee that discusses these issues frequently. I have talked about this and we have seen over the years here, especially recently, that it has been difficult in his community of Wrigley to get a permanent nurse in the community. One of the concerns was about the lack of a permanent policing presence. We are trying to work on that. We recognize there are linkages here. We can’t afford to be a stovepipe. So we are collaborating. I am trying to coordinate our efforts. It is important for us to get both police and nurses on the ground in the small communities and we recognize the concern, problem in Wrigley. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.