Debates of June 2, 2004 (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the honourable Minister Michael Miltenberger. In my Member’s statement today, I talked about the uncertainty facing clients in the Northwest Territories who are currently living in the facility operated by the Aboriginal Partners and Youth Society. While I sympathize with the troubles of the society, I have too, as a legislator, recognized there are certain standards and criteria that have to be met by this government to continue other contractual relationships. I cannot advocate a cause that would open them up for lawsuits. This would be irresponsible as a legislator. This being said, Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister of Health and Social Services can provide this House with information on the programs and services offered by the proposed new contractor as they relate to aboriginal people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would be happy to provide this House, to the Chair of Social Programs, the package of information that we have as it relates to Integrated Services in Edmonton and the various components of the programs and services they offer. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to the information from the Minister. In saying all this, I also want to ask the Minister and his officials what they are planning to do to inform these nine clients who are in Edmonton about the facility. Not so much the clients, but look at the families of these people rather than just having a phone call to the families. What is his department doing to talk to the families? I know it’s a sensitive issue and I would appreciate a phone call from any department of this government to let me know what’s happening to someone who is close to me. I think we need to make the personal touch and reach out and touch someone, as someone from the phone company says.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have had staff down in Edmonton now for almost three weeks, senior staff working through the situation and dealing with the clients on a daily basis. We’ve also made sure, as we have tried to keep everybody informed, that the families have been informed. Some of them are very active in this particular issue. If there is more to be done, then I would be glad to take advice from the Member to see what that would be in terms of keeping the families better involved and informed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns of the families is the new services being proposed by this government to be used by the clients who are in Edmonton is that Integrated Services may not be a good move. Some of the families indicated that the Aboriginal Partners and Youth Society has a really good program and are afraid that their clients would not receive the same type of programs by this new proposed facility. What steps will the Minister take to ensure that the new contractor meets the needs of the aboriginal clients who are being suggested to move to the new contractor? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, as a government, have taken all the steps at this point we believe are necessary. We’ve made arrangements with Integrated Services. We, along with Nunavut and the Alberta government, no longer place clients with APYS. The issue of the aboriginal and cultural component is one that’s been addressed. Integrated Services is tied into services in Edmonton with the group Bent Arrow and the friendship centres. We are working with them to make sure that the northern content is there. Once the clients move, we can deal with issues like northern foods and that sort of thing. So we are very sensitive to the issue the Member has raised. We’ve made the case to ensure that is clearly addressed and we will continue to work with Integrated Services to ensure that that component of the program is strong and robust. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I heard talk of $1 million for nine clients who are living in Edmonton. It’s hard for families, Mr. Speaker, to visit their loved ones who are so far away in Edmonton. It seems to me that it’s high time this government takes a hard look at some steps to repatriate some of these people or all the people back up North in the many facilities that can be used. Some Members have indicated to the House which facilities are located in the North. Can the Minister tell me, tell the House and tell families and people in the Northwest Territories, what concrete steps his department is taking with regard to repatriating our people back to the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 200-15(3): Aboriginal Youth And Partners Society

Mr. Speaker, in relation to this particular instance, the primary, fundamental and initial concern is to make sure that once a decision is made about APYS, the transition to move clients into adequate facilities so they have the same kind of service level and resources they had previously is done. We’ve done that. I have indicated to this House, in the short term we are looking at the possibilities of some short-term repatriation of services we now have in the North. As well, we are going to look at the longer term, once again based on the individual client needs, to see what could be possible in the longer term, keeping in mind that these individuals are in support of home and living environments. They are not in institutions per se over at APYS. For the other ones we have down there, we have to review all the files on an individual basis and see what’s possible to do in the North, and that will be part of the business planning process that will come before committee in this House in the next number of months. Thank you.