Debates of March 19, 2004 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in September of last year, the Department of Health and Social Services publicly stated that they accept and support the certification and training of addictions counsellors done by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Board. This board has been legally certifying, training and monitoring addiction-specific counsellors throughout Canada for over 15 years. Mr. Speaker, my question today for the Minister of Health and Social Services is will the Minister commit to the next step by moving to officially recognize the addiction counsellor profession? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Mr. Speaker, we've made some commitments and committed some funds and have taken the direction with addictions where we've now transformed addictions counsellor positions into community wellness workers, where they have, hopefully, the ability to deal with issues over and above just strictly addictions. I recognize the clear and important role that that particular part of their job description covers, and we are working as a government to come up with a training plan and a fixed curriculum that will, in fact, allow them to be properly trained to meet the job description requirements. That is our commitment as a government. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if at the present time there are any standardized credentials required of people working in the addictions field in the NWT. Is there a minimum requirement, or is it just something that's all over the map and not stated as requirements when positions like these are filled? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Further Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the type of training that has been used in the past and is still being used today is the Nechi training which has, I believe, eight components. We continue to access that training where those workers have been hired and are engaged in that activity. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Mr. Speaker, when there are already terms of reference and standards that have already been set nationally and internationally, why would the NWT want to reinvent the process at considerable time and expense when in fact they could adopt something that is already readily recognized? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Further Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wouldn't consider the Nechi training reinventing the wheel. It brings an important perspective and a type of training to bear in this area that is important. In fact, I have taken a couple of modules myself back when I was involved in the field. Our Member is correct, we are not interested in reinventing the wheel. We have had contact with the people referenced by my colleague, and we're going to continue to stay in contact with them as we try to develop the best training plan possible for community wellness workers. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then my last question to the Minister would be when would he anticipate that these standards and recognition and certification would be put in place, and when would the addictions counselling profession be included in the NWT Medical Professions Act? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, two questions.

Further Return To Question 37-15(3): Recognition Of Addiction Counsellor Profession

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to having a package that I can take to the Social Programs committee and to the Members prior to our next gathering of session.