Mr. Speaker, thank you. I've certainly been present in the House when we've had some discussions of late around challenges in terms of the interplay between independence and accountability as entities and creatures of the GNWT, and, Mr. Speaker, I can say that I've actually recently directed the Department of Infrastructure, who are leading this work, to take that into account expressly indicating that while we want to ensure there's independence obviously with non-GNWT members on this board, I've asked that there be a very express and clear connection back to likely the Minister because that is my role to be responsible here and maintains the line of accountability back here. So that was an expressed direction and should hopefully alleviate any misunderstandings or lack of alignment between the priorities of this House. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister responsible for NWT Power Corp. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier spoke a bit the other day about a newly formed governance and service integration division under EIA. So my questions are to the Premier about that. Specifically, he spoke to the fact that the division will focus on increasing transitional and supportive housing options. My question is would he be considering housing options for women and families fleeing domestic violence in those housing options? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And there's been interactions with homelessness and other aspects of life. Someone might be homeless because they have to flee the home that they've been living in. Right now that funding sits with health and social services, but it would only make sense to ensure that the departments are working together and that at least the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. That's one of the things we want to do with this division, is improve the culture of integrated services and cross-departmental coordination. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I can accept that. I just want to draw attention specifically to the need for housing for folks who are fleeing violence. It's great, it's gotten greater since the pandemic, and so I would like to see if the Premier will commit to looking into how this new division will be best supporting those folks through whatever department is holding the pockets of the purse. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I think it's go od for me to have that very specific information, so I will look into it. I would also like to offer a briefing to the standing committee, the appropriate standing committee, on the new division and how it's going to be -- how it's going to operate and the work that is currently happening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Member from Great Slave. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one thing I hear from frontline health care workers time after time again is the poor state of their morale. In fact, this is something the Minister and I talked about yesterday in the hallways here. What is -- what it is is certainly tied to the cohesion of their workplaces and the accountability of their managers. Is the Minister of Health and Social Services receiving proper feedback from her frontline staff and does she have the tools to assess morale in order to work on the improvements they need? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the make-up of the authority for the operations, which are the frontline staff which we hear a lot about from the Members of this House, lies within the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services. They are -- they have a governing council. So within the authority, where the Minister's relationship is is I get to work with the governing council over that authority. And, you know, when these issues are raised, I, you know, will have those conversations, not just with my own -- with the governing council chair but with my own deputy minister to be able to keep reiterating some of the issues that we're hearing in this House. You know, we've heard -- a lot of the issues that are raised in this House on morale are, you know -- have stemmed from, you know, MLAs from Yellowknife. You know, and I appreciate that that's being highlighted. However, you know, the -- there are many, many employees throughout the Northwest Territories that fall under NTHSSA, and they are hardworking employees. And I know the Members do, you know, agree with that. However, you know, there are -- you know, from my end -- like, from the information that I'm getting is a lot of it is that there's -- there's a lot of vacancies, and they have just recently signed their new collective agreement so maybe some of those changes that they negotiated in that collective agreement will help with this. But, again, they have just signed that collective agreement, and I'm hoping that we'll see some changes with employees and in recruitment in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to reassure the Minister that it's not just Yellowknife Members who are advocating for our health care workers; it's everyone on this side of the House up and down the Valley. So, Mr. Speaker, it's important as well that health care is not understaffed. The Minister just spoke to this. The staff that we do have are being forced to work long hours, sometimes 12-hour shifts without breaks. How is the Minister going to ensure frontline staff, such as emergency room doctors and nurses, are not overworked and not tired, burnt out, and unable to provide high quality care? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, I appreciate that question because the process for the NTHSSA is, you know, they have the authority; we've been questioned on how the money is being spent in there. We have a deficit. So over the years, in order to deal with some of those issues, has been they are running a deficit because they're trying to fit in areas where there's not -- you know, where the staffing vacancies are, where there's only a certain amount of staff per unit, there's -- you know, and so there's a process for that. And right now, what the process is is they run a deficit. You know, we've also heard from the other side of the House is we need to figure out this deficit. So that's what we're doing. We've created the health sustainability unit to figure out where all the money is going that we approve in this budget, in the budgets, like, in the operating budget that goes to the health authority that goes to the department, what are those -- all those positions, are they funded? Are they not funded? Why aren't they funded? Where do we need to find that funding? You know, right now, you know, we've heard that we're projecting a $63,000 deficit for next year's budget, you know, and so we have to figure out all that out. And in order to increase the support for those staff, we need to bring those things forward. They need to come from somewhere. We've heard from from the Minister of Finance that we're reaching our borrowing limit. You know, so we have to start to find that money from within and, you know, and that's the work that we're trying to do with the health sustainability unit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, the Minister and I absolutely agree that -- but where perhaps we disagree is that there's two issues here. One is the good value for money and financial management of the health care system, and the other is the operational management where frontline workers are not feeling heard. The common thread here is management. How can leaders be held accountable within the health system, and will the Minister commit to implementing manager evaluations and reviewing organizational structures that aren't working? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member is saying this, right now there is actual leadership training going on within the NTHSSA to support those managers to do the work that the Member is asking for. Why this is only happening now? I can't speak as to what happened in the past or what changes. But we know that our managers are taxed with a lot -- we know our frontline staff is taxed with a lot. How do we support our managers to help, you know, to work with their frontline staff to let their frontline staff feel supported? That's the work that's going on right now. It might not be out there nice and shiny and being able to say this but, you know, I think -- I'm hoping that that will try to help to support those managers to continue to support their frontline staff. And, you know, and I think the time management between them and the recruitment parts of their jobs is taking effect on their time being able to support their frontline staff. So all those things are being looked at and that was taken away from the town hall that we had, especially because the town hall that we had was at Stanton, and those things have been taken away to try and figure out ways to resolve some of those things internally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I've spoken to many of the participants in that town hall. Many of those staff have mentioned their concerns that they do a lot of work mentoring other staff, helping them with their concerns, and they feel like there's not a transparent, non-biased staff person whose job is to go back and specifically take their feedback and issues with an open mind. Last budget, we asked the Minister to explore the implementation of an office of practitioner experience or some sort of dedicated ombud-like role that staff can bring their concerns to that can get worked on. That's not the role of the current office -- the current patient experience unit. That's more for patients. We need something for practitioners. The Minister committed to look at it. Can she update the House on how far they've come so we can get that unbiased person for our staff to speak to when they have a concern? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a process internally for all staff, you know, and I think that's the tool that they need to use. And from when I speak to the senior staff, they're not hearing. And so if that's an issue, then, you know -- and this is what I recommended to the staff. If they're not getting an answer from their immediate direct supervisor, then they go to the next level. And, you know, and I mean, coming to the -- directly to the Minister's office, a lot of this stuff is operational. A lot of it is staffing, you know, and the things that the Member, like, brings up, they also have a union that is independent and that is there to protect them that they do pay for. So they can also use that tool. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 20th Assembly set four priorities, and the fourth one is safe residents and communities. Mr. Speaker, all communities in the Northwest Territories have fire cell towers that they have access to in the event they need for emergency purposes. Mr. Speaker, my constituents in N'dilo struggle to have cell services for an emergency. My question is to the Minister of Infrastructure. How can the GNWT infrastructure work with CRTC cell phone providers to provide much needed cell towers in the community of N'dilo for emergency purposes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can speak for the work that's happening within the Department of Finance and that has been underway for sometime. We have advocated and continue to advocate to CRTC, as well as to federal colleagues, in ISED responsible for the broadband fund, that these funding pots need to be available to support telecommunications around the territory, around remote communities, and to better support these access points. So this was an opportunity when we saw some increases in funding. For example, when the broadband line went up to Whati, it was an opportunity for the Tlicho government, a project on their lands. There could be opportunities here for YKDFN, projects on their lands. And we certainly do want to see those opportunities made available with funds that are otherwise available on the table. So we'll continue that advocacy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I brought this issue up in the 19th Assembly, and I'm glad that there's some movement now to look at ways as to how we could deal with this problem. My question, Mr. Speaker, is that can the Minister work with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to come up with an emergency backup plan for the residents in N'dilo in the event they have to call for an emergency for fire, ambulance, and police protection? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can perhaps start by saying that I'll work with my colleague, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, on this area. It's one that I know is dear to his heart, to ensure that all residents have appropriate access to emergency services, and I'm more than happy to do so. I think he, and also my other colleague, the Minister of Health and Social Services, similarly share that we want to ensure folks have access to such services. So happy to begin to have that conversation or perhaps join their conversation so that we are all working towards that common goal and, similarly, to ensure that we are involving the Yellowknives Dene First Nation given that it would be for the benefits on their land. So absolutely, Mr. Speaker, we can move that forward. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Colleagues, before I turn to the question again, please be very specific to the departments. Don't go multi-departments because I sometimes have a question of where you're asking the question. So Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I did say the Minister of Infrastructure. But anyway, I just want to -- I'm looking forward to work with the Minister and also the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to come up with a plan. But it's really important that we need to address this issue because this issue's been ongoing for a very long time. And I just want to just leave that there, and it's just a comment. So I want to say mahsi.
So thank you. Colleagues, first and foremost, when you ask questions for Infrastructure and you include MACA and health in it, it means -- doesn't matter just because you asked the question for Infrastructure, the Minister for Infrastructure cannot answer the questions for the other ones.
As well, I don't need commentary. If you don't have questions for a third one, please pass it on to the other one. I think I've said this numerous times so I'm going to reissue it again.
Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
All right, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity for a second round. Mr. Speaker, my questions will be directed to the Minister of health for clarify and surety that the House knows where the questions are going.
In previous sessions, I've raised the issue of licensing requirements of nurses who have received training outside of the country. The hours weren't the issue. The gatekeeper of the nursing association is controlling who can be qualified under their rules to practice here. Mr. Speaker, I referred a specific case to a situation where Ontario has approved a license, Alberta's approved a license, but NWT has no pathway to approve this. So in short, Mr. Speaker, while we have cost of living going up and industry is packing up, we can't risk losing nurses who want to work here. It's that simple. What has the Minister done to help solve or resolve this issue? Thank you.
Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last discussion that I had on this was that the CAN was actually working on the solution, and I know that the Minister and I have touched base again to follow up on further discussions to have another updated meeting with them to where this is. I know that they're looking at the same model that -- they're looking to work with BC on the model that they have because of the -- to try and shorten the process of the assessment of the nurses that are -- international nurses that are coming into Canada to be able to come to work in the Northwest Territories. So as for the details of that, I will have to get back to the Member. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will accept the details in writing. Mr. Speaker, the BC model, if I remember correctly, is to further train and assess them at their cost. Is that how it is going to -- is that how the model's intended to roll out under this leadership of this Minister and working with CAN and the NWT Nursing Association, or will there be a bridging support program to help these individuals? Because the last time I was told this person, this family, was instructed to move to Alberta, go get your hours there, then hey, move back. We have to have a reasonable model. So, please, can you elaborate on the BC idea. Thank you.
Colleagues, I would appreciate you looking to me instead of the Minister that you're asking the questions. Please and thank you.
Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, within this, what I would suggest is is that I will work with my counterpart, Minister of ECE, to get a follow-up and an update on where we are with this as to, you know, with the hours and the practice. The one thing that I would like to say is that, you know, in -- it's just been mentioned in this House that the staff are taxed with supporting other staff, mentoring. You know, we have a nursing program here that's a four-year degree program. They go into the system, they have to be mentored by nurses in the hospital. We are trying to create training for those nurses, those senior nurses, to -- you know, to support them in their duties as mentoring. So we're trying to build that capacity within the authority right now. As for bringing on new international nurses to do this, that support would have to be built into this. So this would be a new, like added on to the NTHSSA where we are currently. Not necessarily will, you know -- as for more of the details, this is something, again, that I would offer a briefing on standing committee, and I would -- we could send a letter once we've had an update from CAN where they are with this. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I think it's fair to say -- at least I know I've been briefed to death on this particular initiative, I'm not speaking for the social development committee, I'll let them make their own decisions -- but that said, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister show some leadership by either, A, eliminating the hours required on qualified nurses, obviously, because they've gone to school, or immediately issue a directive to the nursing -- in writing, in other words, direction that they co-partner with either BC -- sorry, Alberta or Ontario that if nurses qualify there, by defacto they qualify here in the Northwest Territories to practice. Thank you. Two ideas.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will not commit to our territory doing what Alberta can do and support or what Ontario can do and support. We are very different than those two provinces. What I do know that in hearing from what's going on in Ontario, they're now having to build in supports within their health system to support their quick transition of allowing international nurses into the system. So now they're having to build in supports for that. That is not something that we can just turn around and do. We already have a taxed health care system and frontline workers that would need to do this. So what I will commit to is getting more information as to where we are ready for this and, again, providing that. You know, whether the Member has been -- is fully aware of this, you know, standing committee may and some of the Members, the other Members, you know, we would love to have more nurses into our system. And how we get there, we need to make sure that Northwest Territories and the frontline staff that are going to be mentoring them can support that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Mr. Speaker, we have genuine qualified professionals who want to live here in the Northwest Territories. They want to be contributing to the fabric of who we are and where we're going to be to care for Northerners. Mr. Speaker, they view this, in short, is protectionism without creating opportunities that we're inviting. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to assess and recommend the elimination of those hours required to practice assuming they qualify in all other areas of education and experience? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that has been my direction. It has by been my direction to look at what -- in what circumstances can those hours be limited to reduce those barriers. As I can't commit to it across the board for all staff coming in from different parts of the -- like, you know, international educated nurses come into Canada, I'd have -- like, that's where I have to draw the line because I have to ensure that, you know, the staff that are coming in are going to be supported, are going to be able to just, you know, come in and do the work. We have new graduates that are coming out of Canadian institutes that also need to be supported, so we have to balance that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Committee of the Whole, the Minister of Finance was speaking to how they were going to satisfy the concerns raised by this side of the House. Especially -- and on the subject of health care, the three commitments were completing a review of core programs and services in the health and social services system to ensure equitable and sustainable delivery of health and social services programming. Premier's doing that. Conduct a review of the lead policies and their implementation for health care professionals and solve the challenges faced in engagement with employees at all levels of the health and social services system. I'd like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services how she plans to do that last one, solve the problems of engagement in all levels of the system. Thank you
Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, working with the NTHSSA, you know, I think that's the plan is the new HR, human resource plan, that will include, you know, working -- that's coming up, the people's plan, that will help to highlight some of those issues. And the ongoing conversations that I have with the governing council of the NTHSSA at this time, you know, those ongoing discussions that happen, the ongoing -- you know, the ongoing discussions that I have with my own senior officials to ensure that there is work going on, you know, so that the frontline staff are hearing this. But, again, you know, these are some of the things that I would -- you know, there's areas that we've heard over and over again that are affecting. Like, we've heard from other Members, you know, like, the physicians. We've heard from, like, within Stanton. And it's those issues that I feel like if the Regular Members need more detail as to what's going on, you know, I can sit here and speak to them in my few little minutes that I have, but I would encourage standing committee to highlight the areas that they really want to dig down deep into and to request those technical briefings, you know, ministerial briefings as to how we're going to be doing this thing. But right now, there is a lot of work going on within the NTHSSA to try and resolve this issue and work with the staff. You know, whether I can answer that all here on the floor today I would take up all the time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For me, at least, it's not a problem of understanding. As my colleague said moments ago, I'm kind of briefed out. What I do understand is that the workers who are in our health care system providing the service don't feel like their concerns are met. The Minister just spoke to a people plan. Can she elaborate further. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The people plan is the -- so we have the human resource plan that is coming to an end. We have the bridging plan that's going to continue on that human resource plan until the new people plan is ready for the -- like, to roll out. And that would be in 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, have workers been engaged in the people -- in the process to develop this plan? Thank you.
