Debates of May 27, 2004 (day 14)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to some recent meetings we’ve had over the last week concerning persons with developmental disabilities from the NWT who were sent to an Alberta institution to receive care and treatment for their disabilities. I do realize they were being sent to an Alberta institution, but the NWT has to abide by some policies and directives as set out by the Alberta government to legislate these institutions so they are run appropriately in the policy framework. I know that this government does spend well over $1 million a year over the 10 years to send these patients south to these Alberta institutions. We have northern concerns which are not included in the Alberta legislation to deal with aboriginal clients. I just wanted to ask the Minister if he will commit to a comprehensive review of the feasibility and practicality of construction an institution in the NWT for the NWT, so we can meet the needs of these persons with development disabilities who are from the North in the North.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 152-15(3): Treatment Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a department, as a health and social services system, we are looking at how we do business on a constant basis. This issue with Alberta clients in Edmonton has brought a particular component of that system into close scrutiny. As I indicated to the Member this morning and in our meetings, we are prepared to look at the repatriation in the short term of those who are able, and in the longer term of those who have higher needs. We will also be looking at how we, as a system, can provide the service in the North, keep the dollars in the North, and address the issue of the northern and culture aspects of the supports. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 152-15(3): Treatment Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to state that the government is basing its decision on a cost basis and it is costing us quite a bit of money to send less than 10 patients to a southern institution, which I think the North could probably benefit from. I just want to ask the Minister if while these residents with disabilities are going to be relocated, will the Minister assure the families and the parents of these members, that they will be receiving daily if not weekly monitoring reports of the new institution and the redress of the patient care in Alberta due to the relocation and the setting up of the patient care? Mahsi.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 152-15(3): Treatment Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated as well this morning, we commit to keeping the concerned parties in this situation fully apprised of the events as they unfold. Once the transitions are made, we will continue to monitor very closely and continue to provide that same information. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 152-15(3): Treatment Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask the Minister if he would give us clarification on any reviews or any studies that have taken place to address the issue of methodologies in which rehabilitation and repatriation and such or whatever Health and Social Services has to do to deal with persons with developmental disabilities, and if there are any reviews insofar as why they are being sent to Alberta to receive a non-aboriginal rehabilitation program when we are dealing with aboriginal persons? Is there any review on that? Thank you.

I heard two supplementaries. Mr. Minister.

Further Return To Question 152-15(3): Treatment Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we look at the needs of the clients. The clients who are sent to southern facilities, it’s done because they have a lot of needs, in many cases needs that are not able to be met in the Northwest Territories or at the facilities we have, we have no more room. So, Mr. Speaker, we have committed to look at the particular situation of clients who are down there, and the possibility of repatriation both for the long term and short term. We will be very cognizant of the issue of the cultural and northern component. Thank you.