Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the issues we’re aware of is that many of the nurses who entered the Aurora College program are entering that program with a requirement to upgrade themselves to be able to participate in the nursing program. Also, many of those people are coming from communities outside of Yellowknife. The key fact we’re getting is that they’re having difficulty being away from their home or with child care or family responsibilities. Also, the requirement to upgrade and be able to participate fully in the nursing program is a difficult one for a lot of the people who have enrolled. That’s the reason for declining enrolment.
I commend you guys on the placement of the grads. I think that’s fantastic; I think it’s going a long way to helping us with our nursing problem.
My question was more around…. I understand that the enrolments are dropping, but to me that’s very worrisome. We need to keep those numbers up, and we need be graduating as many northern nurses as we can. So my question to you is: what are the department and the government going to do to continue to get people to enrol in this program and succeed? If the nursing students are facing challenges with child care and finances, what are we going to do to help maximize northern employment and keep our enrolment levels up in a program we know is good and successful? Your grad placement is good. You’ve placed almost every grad that’s come out of that program into this system. All great; all fantastic. I’m a little worried about what’s going to happen now with these enrolment levels dropping.
Then it comes back to the budget reduction. I get it now. It makes sense: if enrolment numbers are low, let’s spend the money somewhere else. But if we can get enrolment back up to where it needs to be, you might find you don’t have the money to actually do grad placement. So two questions: if you do your job well and you get these enrolments up and more graduates, are you going to have the money you need after you do this cut?
The program at Aurora College, even though it’s nursing- and health-related, is really the jurisdiction of the college. I’m sure the Minister responsible will be able to provide additional information in that regard.
I do agree with the Member. My observation has been also that we could do a better job in terms of coordinating the government work in the way we.... The nurses we train at Aurora College should be placed properly and get the support and resources needed to pursue their practice. I think we could do a better job of coordinating that, because I am aware of some of the pressures that Stanton has had in incorporating those nurse grads.
I think we will continue to face the challenge of not only nursing grads but other professionals who want to work in Yellowknife and are not so interested in working outside of Yellowknife. That’s a challenge for us, because that’s where the most needs are. I think Yellowknife is more capable and better positioned to be able to recruit and retain staff from southern jurisdictions — better, anyway, than smaller communities. We need to work toward refining the program, working the program better to enhance the opportunities for these professionals to move into communities.
I have not had a chance to look at that as part of the human resource work at Stanton and system-wide. As we move forward under this fiscal situation where we have to look at systematic changes to better use our human resources, whether they be doctors, nurses or any other health care professionals…. I am really interested in looking at staffing models, service-provision models and recruiting and retaining policies to better meet that. So I don’t have that answer. I understand the Member’s issue, and I look forward to going to the standing committee with that plan.
Just in closing, I think it’s all well and good; I think it’s great. I know that Aurora College is the responsibility of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. But as the primary employer and the organization that facilitates practicum and on-the-job training opportunities, I do think the department should collaborate and work very closely with Education, Culture and Employment to find solutions to keep these enrolment levels up.
As far as placements go, I understand your challenges. I get it. I know we can’t place everybody in Yellowknife, and I think you have done a great job through the graduate placement program. I hope you continue to do a great job through the placement program. My questions were more specific to what we are going to do when there aren’t nurses coming out of that program, period. Like I said, I encourage you to work closely with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to find the solutions to these problems as they come forward. So no question; just a comment.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. That was a comment. Next on the list is Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. A motion is on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and is non-debatable.
Motion carried.
Can I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee has been considering Tabled Document 37-16(2); Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Interjection.
The question is on the floor. The motion is in order.
Motion carried.
Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the Priorities and Planning Committee at adjournment.
Orders of the Day for Thursday, June 5, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.
Prayer
Ministers’ Statements
Members’ Statements
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Petitions
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bill 8: Appropriation Act, 2008–2009
CR 2-16(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Public Housing and Homeownership Programs
CR 3-16(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Review of the 2006–2007 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner
CR 4-16(2): Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates
CR 5-16(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates
CR 6-16(2): Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates
CR 7-16(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Report on the Review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates
TD 37-16(2): Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Thursday, June 5, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.
The House adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
