Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by the Member for Great Slave on December 1st, 2021, regarding addictions aftercare and mental health.
Mr. Speaker, there's no single approach that I or the Department of Health and Social Services take to engage with the federal government to advocate for the needs of residents of the Northwest Territories. While it would not be appropriate for me or the department to direct the federal government regarding the operation and administration of its programs and services, I take every opportunity to provide advice or feedback with respect to the needs of NWT residents.
In addition to this, when participating in provincial, federal, and territorial tables, both the department staff and I bring awareness of the needs and realities of the North to the table and advocate for partnerships and opportunities to address the priorities of government and the needs of residents.
I met with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions on January 20th this year for initial discussions, and it is our intention to continue engaging on areas of common interest and priority. This meeting was a significant step to establish what I anticipate will be a positive working relationship with Minister Bennett. My goal in this work will be to ensure Minister Bennett has a sound understanding of the northern context as it relates to mental health and addictions and to ensure opportunities to meet the needs of residents are maximized.
It's prudent to remember that while the federal government is an important partner in the delivery of mental health and addiction services, it is certainly not the only provider and that residents have access to programs and services that are delivered in the Northwest Territories by the Department of Health and Social Services and their authorities. Despite disruptions associated with the pandemic, these services are delivered primarily on a facetoface inperson basis. If an NWT resident has been negatively impacted by changes to a counselling service delivered by another party, that individual can selfrefer to a counsellor with a community counselling program. Same day access is available across all regions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
