Debates of October 18, 2006 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today I talked about the need for the recruitment of front-line workers in Ulukhaktok. It has been some time now since the recruitment has been going on for the past year or so. Presently, just last week on the radio, there is a petition going on in regard to the liquor, or they can’t control liquor in the community. That is just one of the small cases that is being identified right now. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, I understand that the recruitment would go through Human Resources, through that department, but it is the Department of Health and Social Services’ responsibility to make sure that these positions are filled. When will these positions for the social worker, the mental health worker and the community wellness worker be in Ulukhaktok? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 118-15(5): Recruitment Of Front-Line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that the Member has been in contact as well with the CEO of the Inuvik Health and Social Services Authority with these specific questions. I can commit to the Member that I can hand him that specific information. I haven’t seen any copies of any replies that the Member may have received, so I will commit to the Member that I will have the information for him for the start of session tomorrow morning.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 118-15(5): Recruitment Of Front-Line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It will be good to hear what we get when we come back tomorrow in tomorrow’s session. Again, I would like to find out. I don’t understand it, but they are presently looking at recruiting these positions. I understand that Human Resources is looking at some of the names that were put forward. Can the Minister indicate on whether these positions will be filled not tomorrow, but within the next week or so? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 118-15(5): Recruitment Of Front-Line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will give it to the Member before the start of the House tomorrow with information on each of those positions and the status of where they may be in the hiring process, recognizing that I know the importance of this. The Member is talking about this, and I will commit to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 118-15(5): Recruitment Of Front-Line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister, like I said earlier, it has been going on for the past six, seven, or eight months now. Why is it taking so long for the department to recruit these people? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 118-15(5): Recruitment Of Front-Line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reality is the social services professions are facing the same kinds of challenges in many cases as we are with allied health professionals. In fact, I just met with the Social Workers Association to talk to them about the extra efforts we are going to have to make to try to make sure that we ensure that we continue to have northern-grown social workers. We have graduated a class of about a dozen or so community wellness workers. But it is still not up to the demand of what is there in the field. We are facing very similar pressures on the social service side as we are on the health side. Thank you.