Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I beg the indulgence of the House if I keep on repeating the same things that are maybe asked already, but I’m just trying to get some information here. Mr. Speaker, I’m wondering if the Minister could indicate whether or not there will be…I understand the existing contractor of the Territorial Treatment Centre has been given an extension for another year to help with this transfer. Is there a plan to tender this contract, or does the Minister have somebody in mind or a company in mind or a business in mind that is going to run this program in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Bosco Homes has provided a very high quality of service for many years. Like any contract, their term has run out. We’ve given them a one-year extension to help deal with the transition and it’s our hope that, through the competitive process, that they will continue to submit or will submit another expression of interest if they’re interested. We intend to move on filling this contract so there is no break in service. Bosco Homes is the current provider. I believe last time it was put out to tender the only company that did apply was Bosco Homes. At this point, that’s the status. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to suggest that if the recent experience that Bosco Homes is having with respect to this one and in terms of what they have to deal with with very anxious staff who have been told about their layoffs in the media, I’m not sure if they’ll be so keen to enter into another contract in another place with the government. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, if there is no suitable contract or any business that can operate this, is there a plan for the government to make these jobs into government jobs so that there will be enough people hired to deliver this program?
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in fact, Bosco Homes has indicated interest, and the intent is to transfer the contract and keep it as a contractual arrangement. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think one of the things the affected employees are indicating is the fact that they do a very difficult job that they need to do to deliver this program, with a very low wage in comparison to government employees. Most of them have to supplement their income with a second income in their family in order to live in Yellowknife, and it may be that that is what they will have to do in Hay River, and there is a lot of speculation as to whether or not this will be a suitable replacement for those who have lost government jobs in Hay River. So what is the Minister doing to make sure that whoever gets the contract can find the people in Hay River to do this job at very low pay? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of what NGOs pay their staff is one that is affecting many operations within government, including other operations in Yellowknife, especially those that are unionized who are increasing pressure for a wage parity and it’s an issue that we are struggling with. The reality is we have a program run by Bosco in Fort Smith that is staffed and fully functional. It’s our anticipation that we will be able to do this as well in Hay River with either the staff, a few that are going to transfer, or through the hiring process in Hay River. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.
Supplementary To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier the Minister answered that he will make an effort to meet with the affected employees and perhaps the administrator of the program to answer some questions or allay some of their anxieties. Will the Minister be willing to talk to them about possible severance packages, or give them more certainty about what’s happening with their jobs in light of the fact that all of this is happening in the media and causing them undue hardship that could have been avoided if it was handled better? Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 9-15(4): Operation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I indicated that I would follow up on the Member’s assertions and that we would take every step possible to be sensitive and mindful of the situation that the affected employees are going through, and that’s what we intend to do. Thank you.
