Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are also for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in regard to a report, I believe in the last Assembly, called the Health Talk Report. There was a recommendation made in terms of having a translator in each of the regional health authorities to assist our growing population of seniors who need medical attention and services, but whose first language is their official language and English is their second language. So they might have some difficulty with the terminology or getting the proper information for the best care that they need. Can the Minister of ECE give us an update in terms of has anything been worked with the departments to address this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Language is very important to all the departments, especially when it comes to terminology, interpreting different words. We are currently working with each department, such as the Department of Health and Social Services more specifically dealing with the regional health authorities. Stanton has hired on-call interpreters, as well, even translators. So each department has their own roles and responsibilities to hire their interpreters and we do what we can as a department to identify the needs.
At times we did receive requests from constituencies across the Northwest Territories. When there are no interpreters, for example at Stanton, then right away, immediately a request would go to Health to deal with that matter. So it’s a coordinated approach between the departments. So we’ll continue to monitor that and work closely with the Ministers. Mahsi.
The Minister mentioned earlier with going on with my other colleague asking question with the ALCIP program and the other program I believe in the Deh Cho, with the five modules. Would any of those programs be able to address the issues needed within our government system, such as Justice, Education or Health, in terms of terminology and getting the information to residents of the Northwest Territories where English is their second language? Do either of these programs address that concern and that issue? Thank you.
Mahsi. The Yamozha Kue Society out of Hay River delivers pilot projects on five modules and it is a basic, entry-level language. So it does capture, to some degree, on some of the interpretation, whether it be in a hospital setting. It is a basic level, but we are, as I stated, re-examining that area where if we can provide more effective and efficient course delivery that would capture and identify the terminology that’s used in hospital and school settings and so forth. So, yes, to some degree it does capture that, but it’s just very basic language that they’re being taught as part of the pilot project. Mahsi.
Can the Minister provide us with details on how many individuals did participate in that program that he mentioned out of Hay River, and if he’s looking at putting it into an advanced course and offering it to languages right throughout the Northwest Territories? Thank you.
Mahsi. Yes, I did commit to re-evaluating that particular program as part of the Yamozha Kue Society and considering delivering that same or advanced-level courses into the Aboriginal language groups, into the communities. So that is our overall goal, is to capture the regions to the best of our ability as we were doing with the ALCIP program. So we’ll continue to address those needs. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Moses.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to our growing seniors population which will result in more visits to the hospital, as well as the new crime bill coming through, we’re going to see more cases before the court system. Would the Minister commit to increasing some kind of funding pot for local interpreters who might be readily available? Would he be looking at creating some type of program where our local regional people can get some jobs in helping our elders, as well as those in the justice system with this type of thing to expect in the future? Thank you.
Mahsi. When I talked about re-examining our delivery program, that would definitely capture that. I need to work with the departmental perspective, as well, the respective Ministers, how we can best deliver those programs and courses and work closely with the college as well. Aurora College has been successful in the past and now we’re re-examining that area as well. So, yes, that would be part of the discussion as we move forward. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
