Thank you to the Minister of Finance for his budget address today. We certainly live under tough financial times where everybody -- politicians, individuals, households, businesses -- is required to make tough financial decisions. However, it’s not just making tough financial decisions; it’s about making informed and responsible financial decisions. It will require thinking outside of the box for them to take individuals out of their comfort zone.
As a government, I feel that the way we do business can often limit our ability to think outside the box. Specifically, the way we create silos that compartmentalize our decision-making based on established departmental structures limits our ability to stand back and take a holistic view of our finances and how we spend money.
Prior to the last budget session each department was given marching orders to review their budgets and find reductions. Some departments met their targets and others still haven’t. The question is, is this the right way to do things? To me it doesn’t take a holistic approach to review our financial situation and fails to address those areas which are truly important to residents of the Northwest Territories.
For example, ITI met the reductions during the last budget session and will be moving forward with renovations and upgrades in a number of northern campgrounds; clearly something that needs to be done. Health and Social Services didn’t meet their targets. This year, while other jurisdictions increase their health budgets anywhere from 7 percent to 10 percent, our health budget is increasing by just over 1 percent. On the face of it, it sounds good, but when you consider that forced growth is around 3 percent on a territorial level and just keeping pace with the delivery of health service budgets and other health systems have traditionally increased by around 6 percent or 7 percent, it means that Health and Social Services within the Northwest Territories is going to have to cut services to be on budget in 2009-2010.
Here’s the problem: This government fails to stand back and take a look at the big picture. What is more important to the people of the NWT, I suggest that health care definitely affects and is more important than a few campground upgrades. Yet, because we don’t look at the whole picture, the priorities of one department can often overtake the priorities of another department, even when the priorities of that second department are far more important and have a greater impact on the people of the Northwest Territories.
When it comes to financial planning, as a Legislature we can’t afford to look at each department as their own little empire. They need to see the big picture. Yes, planning needs to be done at the departmental level and we should demand efficient running of each, but we also must look at the final budget on a global scale and how cuts in the department rank with cuts or new initiatives in another department.
Our strategic direction, mission and mandate should assist us in prioritizing cuts and new investments. Where one of our main goals is healthy, educated people, it’s hard to understand why reductions affecting health…
Mr. Abernethy, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Where one of our main goals is healthy, educated people, it’s hard to understand why reductions affecting health care we make are in the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories. Yes, we need to be efficient and make sure that our system is running efficiently and we spend every dollar to its maximum benefit, but what is it in the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories? I don’t believe cutting health is for the sake of the parks.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
