Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier in regard to the issue of capacity in our small communities.
We know we have challenges, but we also have to find unique solutions to our challenges. I would like to compliment the Department of Justice in regard to policing in Sachs Harbour — looking at solutions on how to get policing into the ten communities that don’t have police officers. Yet the Department of Health has had nurses located in our communities. Knowing that those capital dollars were expended, I would like to ask the Premier…. From our small communities we have unique challenges, but it seems like it’s not really been addressed as it has been with the Department of Justice.
I’d like to ask the Premier: how is it that the Cabinet in this government is going to work with small communities to realize we have unique challenges and we have to have unique solutions? We can’t operate under the same roof.
I would like to ask the Premier: what is he doing to ensure that we find ways to deal with decreased capacity issues in communities that are unique — because of our size, location and also logistics — to deliver progress and services to all people in the Northwest Territories and that we ensure that the health and well-being of our communities are the first and paramount priority of this government?
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the records show that previous governments and this government will continue, with the areas that it can, trying to deal with the capacity issues in communities in the Northwest Territories and deal with those challenges.
In fact, we began working with Members of the Assembly looking at one of the initiatives that we have yet to kick off, which is the regionalization of government operations, looking at how we deliver services and programs across the north. As well, there was a commitment made to work with Regular Members on the small communities group, and we’re waiting for that confirmation to come forward.
We do have constraints to operate within in the Northwest Territories. For example, under the Department of Health and Social Services, the territorial health and social services act directs how the department can work with authorities as well as with Education, Culture and Employment. There are things we have to work with within our system that further constrain what initiatives we can take part in.
Mr. Speaker, we have built health centres in our communities. We have built infrastructure in our communities. We have built schools, health centres, municipal offices. Again, the government really knows that by making those capital investments, we expect there will be some services out of those facilities we have in our communities.
I would like to ask the Premier: exactly where is the money, the dollars, going for those communities to operate and maintain those services so that we have a quality or standard of health care services throughout the Northwest Territories for all residents of the Northwest Territories? We have health centres sitting there empty, and we know nurses are out there who are willing to come to the communities and willing to work out of those communities, but we have policies or procedures hindering those efforts. I’d like to ask the Premier: is there a way this government can work these problems through with the affected communities and with affected Members, findings solutions to these problems and realizing that there are dollars already in the system?
Mr. Speaker, there are dollars in the system, but there is also quite a shortage of dollars in a number of areas.
This assembly, the 16th Assembly, has already dealt with the Stanton fiscal issue as well as the Beaufort-Delta fiscal issue. They’ve transferred block funding on how they make arrangements — their scheduling services and times as well as dealing with agency relief nurses that are needed from time to time in our communities.
There is a challenge there. The Minister has stated on the record in this House that she is going to work from the department side with the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority and look at what can be done in ensuring that the level of service is improved for our residents.
Mr. Speaker, you do not have to assure me. I think you have to assure the people in those communities that don’t have policing, don’t have nursing — don’t have services — that they’re just as much residents of the Northwest Territories as the other 43,000 people here. We cannot be discriminated against by communities, simply by where you live. Those days are gone. We are not on reserves. We’re not in other foreign Third World countries. This is Canada; this is the Northwest Territories. But that’s the feeling I am getting by the way treatment is being allocated here.
I would like to ask the Premier: with all the brainpower on that side of that House, can you find solutions to these problems, realizing that you may have to amend existing policies, that you may have to change the existing contract arrangements? We can’t have people with certification. We know we’re not going to attract those people to communities. We have to decertify some people so they can provide services. I’d like to ask the Premier: are these problems something that his Cabinet is looking at to find unique ways of solving?
Mr. Speaker, a number of the initiatives we were looking at within the government of the 16th Assembly is how we do business as a government, the level of services provided, if we can make it more efficient, more effective. Those are our goals.
So, yes, we are prepared to look at options out there. In fact, the Minister responsible for the refocusing government initiative is looking at boards and agencies and how they deliver services on our behalf as the government of the Northwest Territories. That is one of those initiatives out there that could have a direct role in how we deliver services in our communities.
Now, Mr. Speaker, the Member stated and compared our services to Third World countries. I would have to take exception to that. We are doing the best we can with our services. I think we are far above Third World country status when it comes to delivery of health care in the Northwest Territories. There are communities that need an increased level of service; we recognize that. That is why we have undertaken the initiatives. We have to try to look at how we spend those dollars and where those resources are being provided and look to improve on that level of service.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think we are going to resolve this issue here today, so I would like to ask the Premier if he is committed, before the end of the sitting of this week, to sit down with Members from small communities and put some of these issues on the table and hopefully get the discussions going between himself and Members from small communities. This is definitely affecting the services in our communities, and I don’t think we’re going to be able to resolve it with the present system we have. I would like to ask the Premier for that commitment today.
Mr. Speaker, I’m prepared to meet with any Member of the Legislative Assembly — one, two, four. In fact, on the small community side there was a commitment — I believe I gave it during the earlier session, during the Second Session — to sit down with Members once we got the confirmation from Priorities and Planning. Again, that commitment is there; I’m prepared to work with Members of the Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
