Debates of March 19, 2004 (day 4)
Member’s Statement On Recognition Of The Addictions Counselling Profession
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