Debates of October 30, 2006 (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during my Member’s statement, I raised a number of concerns at Stanton Hospital that I feel very strongly should be addressed. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services tell this House today that the survey we are talking about will be shown and guided with keen leadership? Will the Minister show that it will be an independent, open, fair discussion with all employees, both union and management, and be considered to be done at arm’s length to ensure there is full buy-in to ensure workers are happy and safe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the previous Minister committed to and I followed up with the commitment, I will be working the Members of the Social Programs committee and I will be coming forward to committee in the very near future with the terms of reference and how we can move forward on this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the issues that had been highlighted to me is the fairness of bringing issues forward without feeling the pressures of other people looking at you or implying things that aren’t right. We would all be well and good if we had whistle-blower legislation or an ombudsman for someone to complain to. So what is the Minister doing to ensure that we have anti-harassment training done and used, and to ensure that all employees feel safe to bring issues forward to management if there are problems, without any fear of reprisal? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, what we have used for some time now as well as adapting those in southern Canada, the federal government, their legislation and through our own negotiation process in dealing with employees over the years, we do have a system in place that would allow for those who feel they are in unsafe conditions or rules aren’t being followed to address those. Of course, we have to use our existing system that is in place and the chain of command, as hard as that may sound, is something that is used. If there are concerns raised, you go to your immediate supervisor and forward. Of course, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, in my previous role here, we are looking at a discussion paper coming forward on whistle-blower legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say that that whistle-blower legislation will be well received, because there are people out there who feel that their jobs are at risk when they put issues on the line by putting their name forward and saying I believe this is a problem. So, Mr. Speaker, the next problem I highlighted in my Member’s statement was lieu time. There is an unfair balance of how lieu time is orchestrated out there. It’s about fairness and morale and the fact that many people feel that this is an imposed change without any consultation. Can the Minister agree to go back and look at some type of consultation that can help build back a refillable bank of lieu time so people will feel that they are part of the system and not being imposed by it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of lieu time within our government service operations throughout the Northwest Territories has been looked at. We have worked with all departments. All departments are treating this somewhat differently. It goes to show, once again, that the need for a clearer human resource plan was required. We have now tried to bring some consistency back to the table looking at operational requirements, and the funding available to ourselves as a government came up with what we felt at this time was the best solution. So although the Member is requesting that we go back to a refillable lieu time package, right now, as we have moved this first step, I am not prepared to go back on that. I would rather like to see how it would work instead as we have put it in place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I rebut that, I won’t be able to ask my fourth question. Mr. Speaker, I raised another serious concern in my Member’s statement about relief workers and agency workers and the fact that there are many staff employees at Stanton who feel that they are losing their senior staff. They are getting new ones as good as they are, but the problem is we don’t have the experience and the seniority that that has. Our senior staff can get jobs in the Yukon or elsewhere at these great bonuses. There is no incentive. Would the Minister take on this problem and show some leadership by saying maybe we need to open up the Public Service Act or maybe we have to find new and innovative ways to ensure that our senior staff are appreciated through whatever mechanisms? Would the Minister go back and rework this problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 217-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, we can show the commitment we’ve made to try to secure our nursing workforce and make sure the environment they work under is a productive one, a healthy one and is satisfactory. Of course, the demand for services by the people of the Northwest Territories also has to be met. That’s why we have looked at a number of different options. In looking at the file now and working with the department, I believe we are trying to take the necessary steps to ensure we have a competent nursing force in place and we will continue to work with all the parties to try to ensure that that is the case. Thank you.