Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering again, maybe the Minister could let us know when Regular Members of this side of the House might be able to actually see some evidence or business plan. Like I said, I’m not fundamentally opposed to something like this happening, but a case has not been made and I don’t think you just do it just to do it. I think you have to make a case for it. There’s certainly a number of questions that are left unanswered here and I’m wondering when the Minister could commit. I know I’m not on the Social Programs committee, but consult with us and show us the plan and show us how the clients are going to be impacted on this transfer to Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return to Question 6-15(4): Rationale For Treatment Centre Relocation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s our intention to build a lot of this detail with regard to this particular program into the upcoming business planning process, which is already in the developmental stage. We will be coming forward, given the time frame of 18 months, to do that. So there will be an opportunity for the Members to look at the detail both on the capital side and on the program side. But I want to assure the Member and this House that very clearly, in my opinion as Minister and as a Minister who has experience in running child welfare programs of this nature, that this program is going to be able to be delivered effectively in Hay River and we intend to make sure that there is no diminishment in service capacity. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.
Supplementary to Question 6-15(4): Rationale For Treatment Centre Relocation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Talking about infrastructure and the use of that infrastructure, I’m just wondering the money that was spent at the current TTC, has any thought been given to having a look at the Somba K’e lodge, the piece of public infrastructure that sits empty on the Detah access road, to house a program like the Territorial Treatment Centre, or did we just make a decision, let’s just move the whole program? Did we give that some thought, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return to Question 6-15(4): Rationale For Treatment Centre Relocation
Mr. Speaker, in fact we did look at Somba K’e probably over a year ago now, a year-and-a-half ago, in terms of its potential. There was a technical review done, there was a program assessment done, and it was determined that because of the distance and the required changes that would be necessary in the state of the building that it wasn’t found to be appropriate for a child welfare facility. So there was work done, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question also has to do with the Member’s statement earlier that I made with regard to the transfer of the Territorial Treatment Centre. Mr. Speaker, there are lots of issues involved in this with respect to the decision, but I think the more important and crucial question that I’m hearing from the people impacted are the way in which this has been done. Mr. Speaker, as I stated, I don’t think any of us wants to hear the bad news that within a year or two we’re going to lose our jobs that we love, that we have been trying to do and are committed to and such. But if that was to happen, I think we would like to be told in a more respectful manner than reading it on the front page of the newspaper. It seems that because these 27 people are not government employees and they’re not unionized, where there has to be more process in place, it seems that they’re really hurt. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that these employees are really hurt that their jobs and their lives are being treated as though they’re not as valuable as the government employees. Has the Minister and the department given any thought to being more sensitive to these people who are being personally impacted with the loss of their jobs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the value of the jobs that these people do is very high. The work they do is very important, dealing with children, and we are attempting to be as sensitive as possible. But if I can hearken back to the previous session when there were discussions of closures in other communities, it is an issue that causes, understandably, distress and concern in the community among those who are directly affected and we’re trying to be very sensitive. We met with the contractor and we’ve talked with the department. We’re working out a plan to be as mindful as possible as we look at the transition of the impact it’s going to have on the current employees. I want to just categorically assure everybody that the fact that this is a contract does not in any way diminish the value or how they are regarded in any less way than government employees would be. They provide a valuable service and we’re looking to be as mindful as possible. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary to Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know when that meeting that the Minister refers to has taken place. As far as I’m aware, the employees impacted have learned about their job loss through the mainstream media. So I’m gathering that the Minister and his officials met with these employees after the fact. Now, I think that is a problem and I’d like to know if the Minister could make a commitment to send someone to meet with these people and have more information about what is going on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will follow up on the Member’s assertions made here in this House and, as I indicated, we will take all the steps necessary to be as mindful and sensitive as possible to the issues of the staff disruption and dislocation that may occur. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also stated in my Member’s statement that one of the concerns is that with all this movement happening to transfer these jobs to Hay River and wherever else, what is not certain yet is if those people who have lost jobs because of closure of Dene K’onia are going to be able to take advantage of these jobs. I tell you, the people who are losing jobs at the Territorial Treatment Centre will be even more upset if they lose their jobs and it didn’t happen for the reasons that it was meant to be. So I’d like to know what’s in place for the Minister to assure that in fact there are any benefits to those employees who lost their jobs in Hay River. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the Member is asking me to comment on the fate and future of those former Justice employees, I’m not in a position to speak directly to that. I did indicate that there will be jobs coming through this contract to Hay River that will be advertised and filled. If there are interested and qualified people in Hay River, they will be, of course, given full consideration. I can offer that to the Member at this point. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that from what the Minister is saying there is really not a certain connection between transfer of these jobs and the loss of jobs in Hay River. What I mean by that, Mr. Speaker, is that because of the decision of the closure, politically we feel bad about that, so we’ll just, you know, discontinue this contract in Yellowknife and just move these jobs to Hay River and just give it to whoever is going to take that. Is this the kind of thing the government should be doing to use people’s lives and jobs for pay off and pay back? Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 7-15(4): Territorial Treatment Centre Employees
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government we should be taking measured, careful steps to look at our facilities and infrastructure across the territory to make sure that they’re used to the maximum, to make sure there is as equitable distribution of resources and programs as possible. As I’ve indicated previously, there’s a stated commitment that we’re prepared to look at decentralization opportunities. We have to look at the capability of the communities and we’ve done all that, Mr. Speaker. I believe we’ve made a careful, measured decision to relocate a program to a community that has a history of dealing with child welfare facilities. It has the program requirements, capacity for service that we require, and that this, while a difficult decision, is in the end a good decision. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in keeping in line with the GNWT’s goals for this Assembly here, I want to ask the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs the question on the issue of the land claims implementation on some of the agreements; specifically the Sahtu Land Claims Agreement under chapter 12 on the economic measures. I understand there was a similar agreement that was signed with the Gwich’in beneficiaries and I want to ask the Minister the status as to when the Sahtu beneficiaries can see some movement or progress in terms of having their agreement also implemented under that specific chapter. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Handley.
Return To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a meeting that was held in November 2004, November 16th to 18th, to discuss a three-year economic measures review. The Sahtu chose not to attend that particular meeting. Since that time, the Sahtu and Gwich’in representatives met on December 8th to discuss economic measures. There was a further meeting held on April 19th of this year with a follow-up conference call on May 10th. So, Mr. Speaker, I think this issue is being followed through with the Sahtu through the number of meetings that are being held. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Supplementary To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For whatever reasons it’s taken us so long for the Sahtu, there was a letter sent to the Aboriginal Affairs department in terms of the Sahtu wanting to enter into an agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories on the economic measures. I guess I would like to ask the Minister to advise us when this letter will be discussed, or if it will be discussed as a Cabinet decision or a Ministerial discussion in terms of when they see light at the end of the day in terms of signing something with the Sahtu beneficiaries. They’re very anxious to move on this and get something in place before the life of this government ceases to exist. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next meeting of the Economic Measures Working Group is scheduled for June 6th and I expect at that time or shortly following that meeting we should be able to come to an agreement on how we move forward with this. Mr. Speaker, I might mention that there’s a Sahtu implementation committee meeting as well that’s currently scheduled for September in Colville Lake. By then I hope we have the agreement. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Supplementary To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Thank you. I appreciate the response from the Minister, Mr. Speaker, in terms of some good news for the Sahtu beneficiaries. I would like to ask the Minister if he would commit to, because of the time frames -- he’s looking at September as a close time frame -- maybe getting an agreement with the Sahtu that he would commit to a time frame close enough in September to say we will have a deal with the Sahtu people on this MOU with the chapter 12 of our agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been difficult to schedule the meetings. This one is scheduled for September 15th in Colville Lake. It involves Canada as well, so I will, Mr. Speaker, aim at having this agreement in place and ready for discussion at that meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Supplementary To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s efforts to see if we can get an agreement signed with the Sahtu people. I don’t know the details of how these agreements come about in terms of the Gwich’in situation. I’m asking if the Minister could commit, if this government could commit, to see if that within the five or six months that the agreement can be signed with this government and the Sahtu beneficiaries on chapter 12 of the Sahtu Dene/Metis Land Claim Agreement. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.
Further Return To Question 8-15(4): Sahtu Land Claim Implementation
Mr. Speaker, yes, I will commit to making every effort I can on behalf of the GNWT to do that by September. Of course, we have to have the Sahtu representatives and the representatives of Canada also on side, but we will make best efforts to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I beg the indulgence of the House if I keep on repeating the same things that are maybe asked already, but I’m just trying to get some information here. Mr. Speaker, I’m wondering if the Minister could indicate whether or not there will be…I understand the existing contractor of the Territorial Treatment Centre has been given an extension for another year to help with this transfer. Is there a plan to tender this contract, or does the Minister have somebody in mind or a company in mind or a business in mind that is going to run this program in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Bosco Homes has provided a very high quality of service for many years. Like any contract, their term has run out. We’ve given them a one-year extension to help deal with the transition and it’s our hope that, through the competitive process, that they will continue to submit or will submit another expression of interest if they’re interested. We intend to move on filling this contract so there is no break in service. Bosco Homes is the current provider. I believe last time it was put out to tender the only company that did apply was Bosco Homes. At this point, that’s the status. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to suggest that if the recent experience that Bosco Homes is having with respect to this one and in terms of what they have to deal with with very anxious staff who have been told about their layoffs in the media, I’m not sure if they’ll be so keen to enter into another contract in another place with the government. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, if there is no suitable contract or any business that can operate this, is there a plan for the government to make these jobs into government jobs so that there will be enough people hired to deliver this program?
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in fact, Bosco Homes has indicated interest, and the intent is to transfer the contract and keep it as a contractual arrangement. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think one of the things the affected employees are indicating is the fact that they do a very difficult job that they need to do to deliver this program, with a very low wage in comparison to government employees. Most of them have to supplement their income with a second income in their family in order to live in Yellowknife, and it may be that that is what they will have to do in Hay River, and there is a lot of speculation as to whether or not this will be a suitable replacement for those who have lost government jobs in Hay River. So what is the Minister doing to make sure that whoever gets the contract can find the people in Hay River to do this job at very low pay? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
