Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.
I'd like to recognize Ms. Elaine Keenan-Bengts as my constituent, as well, and congratulate her on her retirement. Thank you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. For all those joining us today, welcome to the gallery. It's always good to have an audience with us. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission's annual report and commends it to the House.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations Committee has reviewed the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. The committee thanks Mr. Charles Dent, chair of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission; Ms. Deborah McLeod, director of Human Rights; and Mr. Sheldon Toner, chair of the Adjudication Panel for their appearance before the committee on June 1, 2020.
The Human Rights Act requires the commission to prepare annual reports. These reports include information on the numbers and grounds of complaints filed. The Speaker tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. Once tabled, committee reviews the report.
The commission's 2018-2019 report highlighted its focus on accessibility and outreach. It also addressed recent changes made to the Human Rights Act. The commission's work and recommendations are reflected in committee's observations. In our report, committee makes recommendations to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities to government buildings and information on the Internet.
The committee acknowledges the unique circumstances of this year's review of the commission's report. The COVID-19 global pandemic created challenges for everyone, and particularly those living in vulnerable circumstances. The committee noted that inclusiveness and accessibility are critically important in government responses to the pandemic.
I will now pass the reading on to the Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Member for Kam Lake.
The NWT Human Rights Commission is separate from the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is part of the human rights system set up under the Human Rights Act. Most legislation in the Northwest Territories has a Cabinet Minister responsible for the act. This is different for the Human Rights Act. It says the commission is responsible to the Legislative Assembly for the administration of the act. The Assembly's Office of the Clerk is responsible for the oversight of the territory's statutory officers, including the Human Rights Commission.
The commission's role is to protect people from discrimination. They promote equality through education, research, and advocacy. The act makes it illegal to discriminate or harass anyone based on age, disability, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, social condition, religion, political belief, or pardoned criminal conviction. The commission promotes the compliance with the act, and they also monitor and assess how well the act is working.
The committee has followed the transition of the Human Rights Commission to a restorative practice approach with interest. It began in 2014, with the comprehensive review of the Human Rights Act. This was followed by the three independent agencies of the NWT human rights system: the commission; the adjudication panel; and the director accepting the review's recommendations. In 2015, the three agencies published an implementation plan for the commission's transition to a restorative approach to human rights work.
The restorative process moves away from the existing legal and confrontational court-like process. Instead, the process focuses on the relationship between the parties and on resolving the dispute. The goal is to "manage conflict and tension by repairing harm and building relationships."
The committee supports the commission's offering opportunities for settling complaints voluntarily through a dispute resolution process. During the public hearing, Director McLeod stated that the commission started with the restorative approach early in 2017, and immediately saw a large number of parties participating.
The commission reports that 40 percent of all files closed in 2018-2019 were settled through restorative dispute resolution. This is similar to 2017-2018, where almost half of the complaints settled this way.
Committee learned that, in 2018-2019, 60 percent of complaints went into the restorative dispute resolution process. This is a positive sign. It shows more people are sitting down together to work out their human rights issues.
When preparing the 2018-2019 annual report, the commission was composed of three agencies: the appointed members of the commission (five individuals); the director; and the adjudication panel (five individuals). Both the Office of the Director and the adjudication panel have support staff. Commission members are members of the public appointed by the Legislative Assembly. The director's office administers the complaint process, refers complaints to the adjudication panel, and acts as secretary to the commission.
The number of parties navigating the system without support or representation was a key concern in the comprehensive review of the act. The change to the structure of the commission by combining the commission and the director's office into one agency is part of addressing this concern.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass it to the MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In March 2019, an amended Human Rights Act consolidated the Office of the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Director into a single agency: the Human Rights Commission. With the amendments, the commission gains a role in the complaints process by looking after complaints and preparing to bring them before the adjudicator. This is referred to as "carriage of complaints." Complaints that cannot be resolved through the director's dispute resolution process go to the adjudication panel for hearing.
Committee welcomes that the commission now has a legal counsel who can provide advice in the later part of the complaint process.
During 2018-2019, commission members and staff took a course on fairness as a principle of restorative practice. The commission also held sessions for members of the adjudication panel. They also offered educational sessions and workshops on restorative practices to interest groups.
The committee welcomes the commission's proactiveness and preparatory work toward implementing the changes made to the Human Rights Act. The amendments will come into force annually over a three-year period, from 2019 to 2021.
Accessibility includes physical access, web access, and access to services. It also includes social inclusion, equality, respect, and equity in opportunity. The checklist helps businesses and groups to identify if their services and products are accessible to all people. It also talks about how to accommodate people with specific needs.
The commission's website now offers a separate tab for accessibility. The webpage provides resources and links for improving accessibility to all services, including how to improve web experiences for users with disabilities, how to use plain language, and other ways to improve accessibility. It also provides information on legal rights for people who use service animals.
Disability is the basis for the majority of complaints filed. This is not just in the NWT but across Canada. Disability includes mental and physical disabilities and can relate to hearing, vision, mobility, memory, or something else.
During 2018-2019, two-thirds of all new complaints alleged discrimination based on disability. The rate was almost the same for the previous two years.
According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, 20 percent of adults 15 years and over in the NWT are limited in their daily activities due to a disability. This is a large increase compared to 2012, where 8.2 percent of adults were limited due to a disability. It is expected that the population with some sort of disability will increase, partly based on the aging of society.
According to the NWT Bureau of Statistics, the population of seniors, those aged 60 and older, grew by 68.5 percent over the past 10 years. Nationwide, the territories experienced the second-highest growth in seniors population, with only the Yukon having higher numbers. Seniors present nearly 15 percent of the NWT's total population. Aging increases the risk of having disabilities, and many seniors experience moderate to severe disability.
I will pass the reading of the report to the Member for Yellowknife North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The committee heard the commission's concern that many NWT businesses and service providers believe that the National Building Code sets the standard for accessibility and that "compliance with this code allows them to meet their responsibilities under the Human Rights Act." The commission says this is not always the case.
The commission held an International Human Rights Day event with the theme "accessibility" in Yellowknife. Mr. Van Dyke presented on how the National Building Code affects him as a person with a disability. The commission expressed much concern about limitations of full accessibility for all in the NWT.
The commission believes accessibility is one of the most important parts of building a healthy community. The commission is concerned about the barriers that prevent full accessibility, including:
the lack of connection between the requirements set out in the National Building Code and what is actually considered an accessible space;
that the ongoing update of the National Building Code will be completed soon; and
that the National Building Code in the NWT include reference to Canadian Standards Association standard B651-18, "Accessible Design for the Built Environment."
For the coming year, the commission will campaign on the relationship between the National Building Code and the act to enable NWT businesses and service providers to better understand their rights and responsibilities under the act.
The committee recognizes the need for the GNWT to ensure that residents have equitable access to opportunities and services and that standards and codes adopted in the NWT are consistent with legislation.
Other options under discussion are that the GNWT adopt the National Building Code to have legislation that includes rules for accessibility. One challenge is that the code is part of the Fire Prevention Regulations by the Fire Marshall. This could mean that accessibility is not a priority, as the code sets a minimum requirement for buildings that may not meet the requirements under the human rights law.
Committee agrees that NWT residents, builders, and building owners need to know what is required to make a building completely accessible. Committee also identified many points that are unclear regarding who is responsible for funding accessible building design or renovations. It is not clear whether the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs would be responsible for retrofits and, if yes, whether this would apply to communities outside of Yellowknife or not.
Finally, the committee wondered whether the GNWT would consider incentives for builders to use building designs in projects such as small-scale construction, renovation, or retrofit programming that would provide the accessibility requirements under the NWT Human Rights Act.
Consequently, the committee recommends:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories investigate and take the necessary steps to solve the issues, and remove the barriers, that prevent the alignment between building codes and standards and the Human Rights Act.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will now pass the reading of the report on to the Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
The committee commends the commission on improving their website. This includes enlarged buttons and increased colour contrasts to aid persons with visual disabilities. Other improvements include that documents and resources are made in an accessible format, such as MS Word documents.
Now is the time for government to update its web services, focusing on online communication and digital access. The government response to the COVID-19 pandemic relied heavily on online service.
Committee encourages the GNWT to take this important step to open the doors to persons with disabilities. Examples of service standards for accessibility of electronic platforms exist in other Canadian jurisdictions. Regulations created in Ontario establish accessibility standards for customer service, including training requirements of staff and service standards.
The GNWT can make concrete changes that will make a difference. This includes ensuring documents posted to government websites are accessible for users who do not have specific software for reading documents saved in portable document format.
Consequently, the committee recommends:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories enhance digital access and inclusion for people living with disabilities in the NWT by reviewing current practices in serving the public and identifying measures to improve the existing situation with the goal to reduce the number of complaints to the Human Rights Commission on the grounds of disabilities.
Mr. Speaker, I will now pass the reading of the report to the MLA for Thebacha. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Member for Thebacha.
This concludes the Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the NWT Human Rights Commission 2018-2019 Annual Report.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
The report will be moved into Committee of the Whole. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and commends it to this House.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner is an Officer of the Legislative Assembly. The IPC operates independently of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The IPC reports to the Legislative Assembly. They provide oversight and enforcement of the government's duties under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) Act. The IPC plays a similar role under the Health Information Act (HIA).
The ATIPP Act promotes government accountability. It balances the public's right to access information the government holds while protecting people's privacy rights.
People can make a complaint to the IPC about access to, or disclosure of, information. The IPC will investigate, mediate, or resolve these complaints. They also comment on privacy issues in proposed laws. The IPC also educates people about their rights. Under the ATIPP Act, the IPC files an annual report on her activities. This report can include recommendations.
The IPC has duties under the Health Information Act. This legislation applies to collecting, using, protecting, and disclosing personal health information. It applies to health information records. This includes both public and private health practitioners.
The Health Information Act requires that the IPC file an annual report. This report includes the IPC's activities under the HIA. They can also include recommendations made by the IPC that the government did not follow. It can also include recommendations or comments about the act.
The Speaker tabled the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner on December 11, 2019. On May 27, 2020, the Standing Committee on Government Operations met with the IPC to review her report. This is committee's report of that review.
In 1997, the Assembly appointed Elaine Keenan-Bengts as the first IPC. After four reappointments, Ms. Keenan-Bengts will retire on October 30, 2020. This makes her the longest-serving IPC in Canada. During her time, much has changed in how our government collects and uses information. This is also true for the technology used to process and hold that information.
Ms. Keenan-Bengts has served the people of the Northwest Territories well. She has been an advocate for both access to information and protection of privacy. The committee recognizes Ms. Keenan-Bengts' service and wishes her the best in her retirement.
I will now pass the reading on to the MLA for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Member for Kam Lake.
The ATIPP Act applies to GNWT departments. It also applies to most government boards and agencies. The act states that public records must be accessible. It also requires the GNWT to protect personal information. The act states how the public can access GNWT records. It also includes rules about how the GNWT collects, uses, and discloses information to protect people's privacy.
The act states that the GNWT should only collect the information it needs to deliver a program. The ATIPP Act overrules over other laws, unless those laws otherwise say.
Providing access to information is the starting point of the act. There are limited exceptions where the GNWT can refuse to provide access. These exceptions are to protect individuals' privacy, private business information, and advice to Cabinet.
In her opening remarks to committee, the IPC noted that, in 2018-2019, most files involved access to information. She told committee that 30 of 55 files opened under ATIPP related to "access to information." In eight of these files, the public body had failed to respond to an access request within the required time period. There were 14 files opened on privacy breaches, and the IPC issued 18 review reports. She summarizes these in her report.
The Health Information Act (HIA) covers the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information. The legislation applies to health records under the control of health practitioners, such as doctors or pharmacists.
The act says health practitioners should only have access to information they need to provide care. The act assumes a person seeking healthcare has consented to the collection, use, or disclosure of their health information. However, the practitioners must believe that the patient understands how their information will be collected, used, and disclosed.
The HIA gives patients the right to access their own health records. The GNWT can charge a fee to copy health records. If someone believes their records were wrongly collected, used, or disclosed, they can ask the IPC for a review. This applies to complaints about both access and privacy issues.
The act requires health practitioners to tell you and the IPC if the privacy of your health information has been breached.
In 2018-2019, the IPC opened 29 files under the HIA. Of these, 18 were breach-of-privacy notifications. While most were minor breaches, the media reported on two breaches. The first was a theft of a laptop containing health information of 40,000 NWT residents. The second was mental health and addictions records found at the Fort Simpson dump.
Noting the public concerns about these events, the IPC stated that awareness of privacy matters is on the increase and senior management is working toward improvement.
Mr. Speaker, I will now pass over to Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
During their review, standing committee had good discussion with the IPC. They discussed both the ATIPP Act and the HIA. They also spoke about how the GNWT meets their duties under these acts. Committee is making recommendations in the following areas:
The IPC noted it had been a year since the Assembly had amended the ATIPP Act. However, the changes to the ATIPP Act have not taken effect. Committee has not received an update from the GNWT on when the changes will take effect.
As a result, Committee recommends:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT provide an update on the work being done to bring into force the amended sections of the ATIPP Act, including a schedule indicating when the changes will take effect.
One major change to the ATIPP Act is it will apply to municipalities. The committee in the 18th Assembly recommended that the Departments of Justice and Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) develop a detailed plan to guide the implementation of ATIPP for municipalities.
In response, Justice and MACA said that they would develop draft terms of reference for a working group. This group would include municipal leaders and administrators. The GNWT agreed to share the draft plan with committee for input.
Committee notes the concern of some municipalities about the costs associated with ATIPP. Municipalities have asked if ATIPP will apply to older records or on a go-forward basis. Committee asks that information about this be included in the response to this report and in the implementation plan.
The IPC is concerned about the "significantly increased lack of capacity within the public bodies to address access and privacy matters." In her remarks to committee, she said, "The timeframes for responding to ATIPP requests are not being met, and submissions to my office are significantly lacking in detail." She also noted, "Exceptions are not well applied. I am seeing huge delays and failures to respond to correspondence from my office…" The IPC believes this reduced capacity to deal with ATIPP is the result of access and privacy knowledge not being highly valued in the job evaluation process. This results in pay levels being insufficient to attract employees with expertise.
The IPC suggested the GNWT needs a group of well-trained ATIPP coordinators. She mentioned that there had been talk about centralizing the ATIPP function within the government. This would create a pool of expertise and consistent application of the act.
Committee was interested in this approach, and there has been a trend toward centralizing some functions in the GNWT. This includes financial and information technology services. Committee also recognizes that the Department of Finance provides ATIPP administration for the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs.
Committee makes the following recommendation:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT investigate and explore options for centralizing the management and administration of ATIPP on behalf of GNWT departments. The standing committee further recommends that the government share the results of this review for committee's input.
I will pass the reading to the Member for Yellowknife North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Committee's discussion with the IPC turned to the subject of "open government." The purpose of open government is to make information the government holds easily available to the public. A person would not need to make a special request for information. This makes government more accessible and accountable. It could also reduce ATIPP requests.
The IPC noted the benefits of government building access and privacy into programs, policies, and legislation as they are developed. This process is called "access by design" or "proactive disclosure." It helps ensure that the ability to access information or protect people's privacy exists from the beginning.
Committee believes that the GNWT needs to make a clear commitment to open government. As a result, the committee recommends:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT update committee on work to develop a standard approach to including "access by design" principles into the design of communications, programs, policies, and legislation. Committee requests details on how the GNWT will formalize and share the standard approach with GNWT staff.
Committee and the IPC remain concerned about the use of faxes to share personal health information. Committee is aware this is an issue across Canada. In fact, our healthcare system links with Alberta may prevent changes in this area. However, committee believes the health sector must begin to adopt practices that provide greater privacy protections.
Therefore, committee recommends:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement a plan for ending the use of fax machines in the health and social services sector.
Committee questioned the IPC about the effect COVID-19 has had on the GNWT's response times to ATIPP requests. The IPC said she had not seen any deemed refusals because of COVID-19. The IPC did caution committee about the pandemic's potential risks to privacy. She pointed to contact tracing apps used by governments. The IPC noted she had not received a privacy impact assessment on any of the GNWT's COVID-19 responses.
Committee cautions the government to be mindful of privacy concerns as it responds to the pandemic.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
This concludes the Standing Committee on Government Operations' Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Committee again wishes Ms. Keenan-Bengts well in her retirement and looks forward to working with the new IPC.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Committee Report 5-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by the Member for Monfwi on October 20, 2020, regarding residential addictions treatment.
It is a priority in the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories to "increase the number and variety of culturally respectful, community-based mental health and addictions programs, including aftercare." I am committed to making this priority a reality.
The Member said that the previous Minister and the current deputy minister made a promise to look into creating a northern treatment center. I have reviewed Hansard for that day, and there was no promise made. The deputy minister did say that looking at a northern treatment center is "not off the table." That means there is space for Indigenous government leadership on next steps.
I want to turn now to providing some background on facility-based addictions treatment in the Northwest Territories. We have had four treatment centres over the last couple of decades. The last one to close was Nats'ejee K'eh in 2013. Since then, the department has contracted four facilities in Alberta and BC in order to expand the range of options available to Northerners and reduce wait times to get in. The cost of operating Nats'ejee K'eh when it closed in 2013 was about $2.1 million a year. The current fiscal year budget for out-of-territory addictions treatment is $2.1 million, with an anticipated spend this year of $2.3 million.
Nats'ejee K'eh was a 30-bed facility that offered 28-day, gender-specific programming. In the final three years of operations, Nats'ejee K'eh operated at an average of 38 percent capacity. In its final full year of operations, 133 people attended treatment. In contrast, over the past six years, since we started using southern facilities, an average of 228 people attend treatment each year. When factoring in utilization rates and the annual $2-million operating budget for Nats'ejee K'eh, it resulted in a bed rate of approximately $522 per day per client. In contrast, the department's current contracts for treatment range from $180 per day to $452 per day.
The Standing Committee on Social Development in the last Legislative Assembly toured the four treatment centres. I was a member of that committee. We discovered the details of programming offered, and we met Northerners who were in the programs. In this small sample, NWT residents were most concerned about aftercare and about having choices for treatment.
About 70 percent of Northerners complete their programs. Looking to the next step, they wanted to know where they would live when they came back to the northern communities they came from and what services were available to support their sobriety. Our report and recommendations focused on the need for housing and aftercare.
The department has started to bridge this gap in services. First, the department invested in community-based, on-the-land, mobile, family-based treatment and recovery. This pot of funding is now worth $1.8 million a year. I encourage Indigenous governments and organizations to apply for funding and create a program that is specific to the needs of their people. Funding is still available for this fiscal year. This program responds to the Mental Wellness and Addictions Recovery Action Plan that promises more community-based solutions for wellness and addiction recovery.
Second, the department has strengthened community counselling options. Under a new approach, there is no wait list for counselling. People can get an appointment the same day.
Third, the department is looking to work with communities to set up addictions peer support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Wellbriety to support people in maintaining their sobriety.
Fourth, there are telephone supports through the NWT Help Line and the Strongest Families Institute.
Fifth, there are several cell phone apps and online options that will soon be made available to assist people who want to find solutions in their own home. We are providing a range of options so that we can meet people's needs wherever they are.
We are also looking at prevention. Work has started on an alcohol strategy. The goal of the strategy is to create an all-of-government approach to addressing alcohol-related harm, such as reducing our high level of hospitalizations that occur primarily as a result of alcohol. There will be widespread public consultations over the next two years to hear from NWT residents about what needs to be in that alcohol strategy. We are taking steps to develop a model for managed alcohol to decrease the harms related to binge drinking. The lessons learned in controlled distribution of alcohol through the pandemic are informing this work. The department is working on a medical detox model that can be delivered in the NWT.
I recognize that addictions and recovery is an issue in almost every family and every community. It robs people of their health and potential. It is a disease that results in too many deaths. I want to change the story, and I know that the Member for Monfwi does, as well. I am convinced that the path forward is to provide NWT residents with a wide variety of supports, to meet them where they are in their healing journey and to assist them in continuing on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral questions asked by the Member for Monfwi on October 20, 2020, regarding Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations.
I acknowledge the Member's reference to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action. Recommendation number 21 calls on the federal government to make funding a healing center in the NWT and Nunavut a priority. We are interested in the work that is going to take place in Nunavut to create a healing center that is distinct from an addictions treatment centre. The department is constantly reviewing best practices in healing and addictions treatment, and if evidence points towards the need for a northern addictions facility, we will present that evidence to Members and invite discussion. However, as things stand today, this government has no mandate commitment, plan, or budget to create a northern treatment addictions center. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Returns to oral questions. Item 8, acknowledgements. Colleagues, I'm sure you are eager to get into oral questions, but we will return after a short recess. Thank you.
---SHORT RECESS
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I spoke about the addiction treatment centre. We understand that there is a new treatment centre happening in Nunavut. [Translation ends] [Microphone turned off]… be that way. I refer again to the funding partnership the territory has secured with Ottawa. It's for $75 million treatment centre in Iqaluit. It comes in the wake of Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. Mr. Speaker, what has our government, the Government of the Northwest Territories, done to follow up on that call to action number 20 of the TRC. Number 20 called for new treatment centres, more specifically for Nunavut and Northwest Territories. Where is our new addiction treatment centre? Masi.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, because it's on addictions, I'll transfer it to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Honourable Premier. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for Monfwi for his question. I think one of the first things to sort out is what is a healing centre and what is an addictions treatment centre. I'm not confident that they are the same thing. Not everybody who needs healing is an addict who needs to go through the process of detox and a 28-day program and the aftercare and so on. I think the discussion needs to be broader. What is it that we want this centre to do? The Truth and Reconciliation Commission sees it specifically as a healing centre and commits the federal money for that purpose. We're very interested in seeing what happens in Nunavut with their healing centre, what kind of lessons we can learn and apply here in the NWT. Thank you.
Since truth and reconciliation, 94 recommendations came out. More specifically on number 20 and 21, it's been well over five years. This government should have been prepared. When the first TRC came out what were the plans in place? I'd like to know from either the Premier or Minister of Health and Social Services what partnerships has this government explored with the federal government to follow up on the call to action number 20? What have we learned from our neighbour Nunavut's very successful federal engagement in pursuant of their new treatment centre for their territory?
I'd like to defer this to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
