Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Today I spoke about counselling services in Lutselk’e and the serious concern for the community. Unfortunately, the community has had to endure the untimely passing of three community youth because of suicides within the last 24 months. Can the Minister tell me what the current situation is with respect to providing counselling services in Lutselk’e?
The honourable Minister of Health, Ms. Lee.
Currently in Lutselk’e there has been a vacancy of the mental health addictions worker there for about a year. In that period of time the services have been provided by Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, which is in charge of those services. So there have been three workers travel to Lutselk’e on a periodic basis to provide services, one of them specializing in youth counselling.
I’d like to advise the Member the latest is we have been able to hire somebody, and we have had verbal commitment from a mental health specialist, and we hope we’ll be able to fill that position on a permanent basis for the community.
I thank the Minister for that answer. The higher-than-usual frequency of suicides in a small community: what has the department done to specifically address that issue?
Mr. Speaker, obviously that’s a very complicated issue, and it’s one that has to be addressed in multi-faceted ways. The government and the Department of Health work with other organizations on suicide prevention, working with youth. The government funds various programs to support youth. I think over the last two, three years, we have made some progress in that area.
Specifically to mental health and addictions issues in small communities, it is a constant challenge to be able to provide a community-based program. We do fund about $7 million for 75 positions. But in the last three, four, five years, we’ve had a constant level of vacancies with community wellness workers positions. It’s up to about 25 per cent. But we’re making steady progress in that area. And I look forward to working on that more with the Member.
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister tell me what role the Lutselk’e Indian Band has had in the delivery of counselling services at the community level?
Mr. Speaker, as far as I understand, all of the programs for mental health counselling and community support work in that area are delivered by Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, which oversees that community.
Final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to working with myself and the community, specifically the Lutselk’e Indian Band, to explore options for actively engaging the community for delivery of effective community-based counselling services in Lutselk’e?
Absolutely, I am willing to do that and prepared to do that, Mr. Speaker.
I’d like to just give notice to the Members that I’m in the process of having the department review our entire mental health and addictions strategy. The current plan that we have in place has been in the works for about four or five years.
But I think there’s room for a change and room for revising and re-profiling, specifically giving more multi-dimensional roles to our community workers, social workers, mental health workers, so that we have a holistic approach towards those who walk into the office and need help. Right now, I think the way it’s being done is way too many stovepipes, and one may not be working as efficiently and effectively as we could.
So I look forward to working on that process with the Member in the coming months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
186-16(2)
Accommodations for
In my Member’s statement I mentioned that I sensed a genuine desire on the part of the Department of Human Resources — I should say my questions are addressed to the Minister of Human Resources — to make transition as easy as possible for those employees who have been targeted for reduction. I’d like to give the Minister an opportunity to publicly state and answer the question: is it the department’s goal to make the accommodation of employees as easy as possible?
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is certainly our intention. As has been mentioned, we do have 118 potentially affected employees, depending on whether the budget gets passed or not. There are a number of these employees that are approaching some significant milestones with regard to retirement. So this is an area that we’re looking at.
I thank you, Minister, for that answer. Particularly in regard to those who are approaching retirement or those who are requesting voluntary separation, there are policies which are in place. I wonder if the Minister could advise whether or not the department is open to actions for these particular employees that are outside the current policy.
We are open to looking at all possible options and with the individuals that are potentially affected.
I’m glad to hear that. Thank you, Minister.
I’d like to know whether or not the Minister can advise what kind of a time frame is involved. I presume there has to be Cabinet approval of any changes to these policies. Can he advise when these policies will be going forward to Cabinet and when we might expect some kind of a response in that regard?
Mr. Speaker, we had an opportunity to brief the standing committee with regard to human resources, and I am waiting for a letter from the committee that would indicate they’re supportive of the department taking such an approach. If we have that support, then we would go forward.
Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I missed that part of the meeting. That wasn’t my understanding. I will discuss that with the committee.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. I didn't hear a question there. The Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
