Debates of March 19, 2004 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week is NWT Social Work Week. Today I rise to recognize the valuable contribution of social workers to children, families and communities in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, the profession of social work is ultimately centred upon helping and protecting people. Social workers bring their own unique strengths, skills, education and life experience to their jobs. You can find our social workers in hospitals, with the homeless, in treatment centres, women's shelters, elders' facilities, and in the family and children's services system. Their focus is always on ensuring that our most vulnerable neighbours have safe, respectful and nurturing environments.

Communities work in partnership with social workers to address issues that affect the people who live there. Those issues may include domestic violence, elder abuse, disabilities and addictions. Social workers are part of a health and social services team that can offer well-rounded solutions to these problems. They build on family and community strengths and provide supports when needed.

Mr. Speaker, the department and authorities have taken steps to promote the profession of social work within our integrated system.

Funding is provided for workers to access professional development.

We have added 20 social work positions to our system over the past three years.

We have new standards of practice and guidelines of best practices.

We support the development of a territorial foster parent association.

We have developed resource booklets promoting the profession to both high school students and adults.

We have developed an interactive program that is available on CD and on our Web site to help people learn more about social work.

We attend career fairs to promote social work to high school students. Earlier this week we were in Inuvik, and next week we will attend a career fair in Yellowknife.

Social workers helped us to develop a tool kit to promote their profession to people in the communities. The tool kit includes many of the resources I have already mentioned, along with tips to help people talk about their job.

We support non-government organizations to provide services and to advocate for community members.

Mr. Speaker, this year's theme for Social Work Week is social work for social justice. Join me in recognizing social workers through the NWT who bring positive social change to NWT families and communities every day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 20th, will culminate a week of international celebration as Francophones and Francophiles throughout the Northwest Territories join with people in India, Senegal, and Egypt, among others, to honour their culture and heritage through Francophonie Day.

(Translation) This day was created in 1998 as a way for the ensemble of people who speak the French and Creole languages to celebrate their common bond. Honoured over five continents and uniting over 170 million speakers, French speakers join together with the United Nations to reaffirm their common commitment to peace, democracy and bridging cultural diversity. (Translation ends)

As Minister responsible for official languages, I am pleased to highlight that here in the Northwest Territories, we, too, are a part of the celebrations.

In Fort Smith, a storyteller will be attending with students and others to enjoy the tradition of oral history, drum making and puppetry. As well, students of the Francophone Association's after-school program will be opening an exhibit at the Northern Lights Museum entitled, "The Magic of the North," a photography exhibit featuring a student's view of why Fort Smith is important to them.

(Translation) At L’Ecole boreale in Hay River, a reading challenge has been set where students are challenged to reach 25,000 minutes during the month of March. As well, on Saturday evening, families from Francophone countries will be joining at the curling rink for a fete involving food and dancing from the 10 countries represented in the Hay River area. (Translation ends)

In Yellowknife, we will once again be treated to the annual Cabane a sucre or Sugar Shack at both the Snow King's Castle and during Caribou Carnival.

(Translation) As well, individual celebrations will be held in immersion programs throughout the North and with families and friends. (Translation ends)

Mr. Speaker, please join me as throughout the North, Canada and the world, people celebrate the beauty of the French language. Merci.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to update Members on the successes of our Northwest Territories Team at the 2004 Arctic Winter Games, recently hosted by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta.

The Arctic Winter Games were created in 1970 to promote athletic competition, cultural exhibition and social interchange. I believe that the nearly 1,600 athletes and cultural performers representing 10 contingents from seven different countries at this year’s games would agree that these values are as evident today as they were in the past.

The opportunity for young people to attend and participate in the Arctic Winter Games is there only because of the commitment from a number of people who work tirelessly to make it happen. I would like to take a moment to recognize these people.

First and foremost, I want to recognize the athletes and cultural performers themselves. We cannot have a Team NWT without you, so please know that we are proud of each and every one of you for your enthusiasm, your dedication and your sportsmanship.

I would like to extend my congratulations to each of our 105 ulu medal winners. I hope that each of you continues to excel and to always represent the Northwest Territories with your best effort.

To the volunteers and officials from the Sport North Federation and the territorial sport organizations, congratulations on once again preparing our team. A special note of recognition is due for Mr. Bill Othmer from the Sport North Federation who served as our chef de mission for Team NWT. Congratulations to Mr. Othmer and his mission staff.

I would also like to make special mention to all the parents who support their children in their athletic or cultural pursuits. Their dedication of time and money to the development of all our youth is so very deeply appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, while at the Arctic Winter Games, it was my pleasure to launch the recently completed Inuit-style wrestling manual during the wrestling competitions. I was also pleased that the Secretary of State for Physical Activity and Amateur Sport, the Honourable Stan Keyes, was able to join me for this event. This new resource is an important document that supports the teaching and learning of traditional Inuit wrestling, and the manual is dedicated to the late Rick Tremblay, who, for many years, was a leader in amateur wrestling in the North. I am pleased at this time to acknowledge Rick Tremblay’s widow, Nancy Trotter, who was unable to be present in Fort McMurray for the launch, but has joined us here today in the visitors' gallery. Ms. Trotter, please accept our sincere thanks to Rick for all he did for youth in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that so many Members from this House were able to attend the Arctic Winter Games to show their support for Team NWT and for the games in general.

This gave a clear indication to the athletes and cultural performers from the Northwest Territories that we are proud of their strong effort and enthusiastic participation.

Mr. Speaker, we can be proud of our sport and recreation system and these most recent Arctic Winter Games are a great example of the good that can come from it. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As announced yesterday, the Honourable Joe Handley will be absent from the House today to attend the federal/provincial/territorial Intergovernmental Affairs meeting in Montreal, Quebec. Thank you.

Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. During the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray two weeks ago, I was proud to accept the invitation of the Honourable Henry Zoe to help represent the NWT and this Assembly. The three days that I spent there were actually the sixth chance that I've had to be at an Arctic Winter Games, Mr. Speaker; three times as a reporter; twice as a volunteer; and this time as a representative of this government. That goes back to the very first time the games were staged here in Yellowknife 34 years ago.

I was impressed, Mr. Speaker, not only with the calibre of our cultural performers and the skill and play of our athletes, but also with their sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Overall, they showed the NWT as a cool and a class act that sets a great standard for all athletes.

One of the most memorable events was not a competitive one. As Mr. Zoe mentioned in his statement, the NWT paid tribute to one of our great volunteers, the late Rick Tremblay, in dedicating a new technical manual on the traditional sport of Inuit wrestling. The dedication ceremony was made on the mats in the wrestling arena, as athletes from much of the circumpolar world applauded Rick's contribution to wrestling and the NWT's contribution in the form of a manual. A former Member of this Assembly, Titus Allooloo, was also there as a former games athlete, coach and, this year, as an advisor to the sport of Inuit wrestling.

Mr. Speaker, it wasn't possible for Rick's family to attend the ceremony in Fort McMurray, but I am pleased to see his widow, Nancy Trotter, here today. Joining her is Abe Theil, the president of Sport North, and Mr. Paul Christopher who is the president of the NWT Wrestling Association.

Rick's passing in the summer of 2001, Mr. Speaker, was a deep shock and a great loss. He was a tireless volunteer. His big, positive outlook on life was infectious, and it's what made him such a valued and now greatly-missed volunteer.

The dedication of this manual to Rick is a small but fitting tribute to a great guy, and I join Mr. Zoe, Mr. Speaker, in hoping that through the dedication of this manual, the hundreds of sport volunteers across the NWT take notice and accept our thanks for their enormous contribution not only to the Arctic Winter Games, but to sport every day across the North. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, seeing as today is Friday, I would like to close out the week with a good-news story. What I am referring to, Mr. Speaker, is the recent announcement by the Minister of Justice that Ms. Bernadette Schmaltz has been appointed as a judge to the territorial court and she will be residing in Hay River.

---Applause

Hear, hear.

This is terrific news, Mr. Speaker, as this means that there will be very little disruption to the continuity of judicial services provided to the residents of the South Slave.

Mr. Speaker, I, along with my colleague from Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen, lobbied very hard to have this position remain in Hay River, and we are extremely pleased that this has come to fruition. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all of Hay River to thank the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Charles Dent, and all Cabinet Members for allowing this appointment to become a reality.

I have heard from a number of Hay River residents who know Ms. Schmaltz personally. Hay River is a wonderful place to live and I know she will be a great asset to our community.

Mr. Speaker, the swearing-in ceremony took place on March 8th and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on her appointment as judge to the Territorial Court.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Schmaltz will not be taking up residency in Hay River until approximately one year from now, but we all look forward to giving her a very warm welcome and making her feel at home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, March 14th to 20th is Social Work Week in the NWT and I would like to ask you to join me in recognizing the important work done throughout the year by social workers across the Northwest Territories, as we take time to voice our appreciation for the job that social workers do.

I would also like to recognize other important segments of the social work network that are often overlooked and those are the addictions counsellors and addictions workers. It is not only those with a mental health or social work degree background who do social work. Addictions counsellors and addictions workers are a vital component of the health and social services delivery system. Addictions counsellors are frontline workers whose services make a difference in the lives of individuals and families struggling with addictions throughout the NWT. Yet, Mr. Speaker, addiction counselling has never officially been recognized as a profession in the NWT. It is time for that to be changed, Mr. Speaker. It is time for policymakers to take a more inclusionary position and recognize the reality of who is doing addiction counselling in the NWT and how.

Recognition of the addiction counselling profession will allow for greater accountability for those who provide the services to addiction and mental health clients. This directly translates into better services to clients and better protection to those who work in this field. It’s something we can all support.

The Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Board has been legally certifying and monitoring addiction counsellors in Canada for over 15 years. Their standards are recognized nationally and internationally. There is a north of 60 regional chapter in my constituency. In September last year, the Department of Health and Social Services publicly stated that they accept the certification and training of addictions counsellors done by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Board, however they have yet to recognize this profession.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague, MLA for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey, and I have spoken numerous times in this House on this subject. We have spoken directly to the Minister and we have spoken directly to the department. Mr. Speaker, it is time to take the next step. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services on this subject. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I didn’t have a Member’s statement, but I will tell you that when the Honourable Henry Zoe brought up this dedication to Rick Tremblay, it moved me to stand and say a few words.

Rick Tremblay was a lot of things to many of us. I met him in Fort Simpson when I was a young man. Seeing the dedication of this Inuit-style wrestling manual going in his name is very moving, I am sure, to his family. It surely brings warmth to my spirit and I can only imagine what it means to his family.

Rick, to many of us in Fort Simpson, was a lot of things. He was coach. He taught me wrestling as well as many other things. He always had time for all of us and took the time. He was a teacher as well. I can still remember him bringing his glass eyes to class and always making us laugh with this big belly smile and big beard. He was a mentor because he was somebody we looked up to. He was a class above everyone else.

He was also a friend. His passing in 2001 really hurt a lot of us. Like I say, it doesn’t compare, I am sure, to the emotions that that brought to his family. So, Mr. Speaker, in closing I just want to say this book is just one element of a fitting legacy many of us will remember of a man who touched all of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since this is a Friday session, I want to put a little poetry into my Member’s statement today, a poem written about my wife and I as we travelled into rural Canada to promote and educate people about the Northwest Territories. A local poet by the name of Ken Blacklock wrote this poem on March 7, 2004. I haven’t gotten up to recite a poem since my university days at the University of Colorado in 1972 or 1973, so I ask you to indulge me as I may sound awfully rusty. Here goes my concerted effort, Mr. Speaker.

“Though politicians ain’t always my friends,

Today I will try to make amends.

I welcome to Alberta and Blue Ridge,

An MLA who is down from the northern fridge.

Roger Allen is the Member of the Northwest

Territories Assemblies

Living in Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories.

With his wife Dodie, a teacher on spring break,

Wants to visit Fort Floyd Sydney, so a holiday

they take.

They have no political parties, just sometimes

after meeting

They sit and talk together, no sides in the seating.

And after they decide the roadwork they will do,

The NWT no longer means “no way through.”

So today we give a welcome to Roger and his wife,

A politician that I haven’t given any strife.

An Inuit, Gwich’in, Irishman, a territorial blend,

A Canadian gentleman I’d be proud to call my friend.”

Mr. Speaker, many of the people I meet are fascinated by our governing system, so I take much pride in promoting our beautiful territory throughout my sojourns. That is how I will share this poem with you, my friends. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, March 21st, will be the official kick-off of spring, although it doesn’t feel like it outside at the moment. Spring in Yellowknife means Caribou Carnival, Mr. Speaker. This is an occasion where all residents, visitors, families, young and old, partake in numerous events that are taking place. This will begin next Friday, Mr. Speaker. Some of the events that we have gotten used to enjoying at this carnival are dog mushing, or a tea boiling contest, or vying to be the owner of the ugliest truck in town. I was going for that until recently when I sold my ugly truck.

Anyway, Mr. Speaker, this being Friday, I thought I would add some humour here. One of the most visible and important parts of this event is the contest to choose the Caribou Carnival queen, princess and, this year, prince. The winner is chosen by the number of tickets sold, but in the process, these contestants become great ambassadors for the events and get people really excited and get the anticipation of the event built. It was in the spirit of joining this excitement, that the Yellowknife MLAs of this Assembly invited all the contestants to join us in the gallery today and to share lunch with us later on. I believe that most of them were able to join us and I will be recognizing them at the appropriate time later on.

I would just like to thank the contestants, all of them, for putting their names forward in this venture and making an important contribution to this very important event in our city.

I should also thank all the sponsors without whom we couldn’t hold these events. If anyone has had a chance to look at the tickets being sold by these contestants, there are some spectacular prizes that are serving as great incentives for everyone to sell as many tickets as possible.

I think that is a very important aspect of it. So, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to give a plug for our Caribou Carnival which starts next Friday and to invite the Members to come and say hi to their contestants when they get an opportunity throughout the early afternoon today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the social workers who have been working in my riding of Nahendeh. I know that they're working very hard. Just on behalf of myself and the people I represent, I would just like to say thank you very much for the work that they're doing. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was thinking last night and this morning what to say in making a Member's statement. Last night, my little boy and my wife came from Tulita, a 17-hour drive, and I was thinking about my appreciation for the role of our families in the life of an MLA. When I left here last night, I met them on the road going home and my little boy was happy to see me. He looked at me and said, "Daddy's ears are cold." He had a little red toque on and he said, "Here, Dad, use these." It's things like that that make it worthwhile, and I want to express appreciation to the families.

I really thought about it last night, how they really make a difference and the sacrifice they make for us to be here and to be away from our families and communities. I was trying to think about what kind of life we're going to leave for little guys like my little boy. We have some very important decisions to make, and owning up to those decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions is one tool that I would like to leave to my son and all other children. It's really important that we do this.

I thought about it last night and though I could stand up and make other statements that are very important for various reasons to our people, it's really important now not to forget our family and to honour them. They're really, really precious. I just have a lot of fun with my little boy, and I think of the other children and I think of the other MLAs' children and grandchildren, and it's really important that at the end of the day it's our children who are going to carry on our legacy. Our legacy sometimes is very tough; sometimes it's very hard and sometimes we just want to let people know that we're doing our darnedest and our best here in the Legislative Assembly. I want to say I appreciate the people who make our jobs a lot easier, who make us look good in the public, and it's the people who surround us. I want to let the public know, in the Northwest Territories, that family is very important in this job here. So, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. As I indicated earlier, we have in our presence the contestants for the Caribou Carnival queen, the princess and prince, and I would just like to call their names and if they are there if they could stand up and bow. Mildred Wilke, Jodi Wilson, Elisbeth Fossum, Chelsey Normandin; they are the contestants for queen. For princesses: Alaina Reyes; Blessing Tsar; Danica Wouters; Ramona Normandin; Karlee Turner; and, Stacey Grandjambe. Thank you.

---Applause

Welcome to the House. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a pleasure today to recognize four constituents that I know in the Assembly today; of course, Ms. Nancy Trotter; Paul Christopher of the NWT Wrestling Federation; my constituency assistant, Mr. John Argue; and, our royalty in waiting, Mr. Speaker, Mildred Wilke. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in September of last year, the Department of Health and Social Services publicly stated that they accept and support the certification and training of addictions counsellors done by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Board. This board has been legally certifying, training and monitoring addiction-specific counsellors throughout Canada for over 15 years. Mr. Speaker, my question today for the Minister of Health and Social Services is will the Minister commit to the next step by moving to officially recognize the addiction counsellor profession? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Mr. Speaker, we've made some commitments and committed some funds and have taken the direction with addictions where we've now transformed addictions counsellor positions into community wellness workers, where they have, hopefully, the ability to deal with issues over and above just strictly addictions. I recognize the clear and important role that that particular part of their job description covers, and we are working as a government to come up with a training plan and a fixed curriculum that will, in fact, allow them to be properly trained to meet the job description requirements. That is our commitment as a government. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if at the present time there are any standardized credentials required of people working in the addictions field in the NWT. Is there a minimum requirement, or is it just something that's all over the map and not stated as requirements when positions like these are filled? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Further Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the type of training that has been used in the past and is still being used today is the Nechi training which has, I believe, eight components. We continue to access that training where those workers have been hired and are engaged in that activity. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Mr. Speaker, when there are already terms of reference and standards that have already been set nationally and internationally, why would the NWT want to reinvent the process at considerable time and expense when in fact they could adopt something that is already readily recognized? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Further Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wouldn't consider the Nechi training reinventing the wheel. It brings an important perspective and a type of training to bear in this area that is important. In fact, I have taken a couple of modules myself back when I was involved in the field. Our Member is correct, we are not interested in reinventing the wheel. We have had contact with the people referenced by my colleague, and we're going to continue to stay in contact with them as we try to develop the best training plan possible for community wellness workers. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then my last question to the Minister would be when would he anticipate that these standards and recognition and certification would be put in place, and when would the addictions counselling profession be included in the NWT Medical Professions Act? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, two questions.

Further Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to having a package that I can take to the Social Programs committee and to the Members prior to our next gathering of session.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this morning is to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, and it's in context of my many travels into rural parts of Western Canada and speaking with many of the individuals who would like to come north of 60 to visit our beautiful country. One suggestion they asked me to convey to this Assembly is if the department would consider introducing some form of a gas coupon that they can have once they cross the port of entry at the 60th parallel to see if it would help reduce the cost of their visit to the Territories. I would like to ask the Minister if he's willing to consider such a policy change in that regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 38-15(3): Fuel Assistance For Visitors To The North