Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we embark yet again on another chapter of the territorial day shelter in Yellowknife, it is critical we have the right principles, standards, appropriate staff qualifications, appropriate service design and effective care practices for the success of the day shelter concept. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Speaker.
Admittedly, there’s no dispute that an NGO can offer a service or product at a much more reasonable cost than government. Therefore, it’s our duty as a government not to shortchange this process in any way and to make sure that we succeed in offering our territorial service.
Can the Minister provide to the House a proposed high level financial operational breakdown of the territorial day shelter in Yellowknife? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have signed a contract with the Council of Persons with Disabilities to provide the services for two years. The two-year contract is $619,400, which is just over $300,000 a year. We have also signed a two-year lease with the provider of the actual facility, which works out to $5,400 a month, which is about $64,800 a year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the Minister’s reply to that. It’s apparent, given the current budget, that this shelter is expected to perform only basic core functions during what we’ve been hinting as a potential reduced open for business environment. However, many, including this MLA, feel this shelter is lacking the funds needed to perform the life-changing programs associated with mental health and addictions, not to mention critical life skill programs required for society reintegration.
Can the Minister indicate to the House where the funding dollars are for this? Thank you.
The day shelter at this point in time is providing some basic services, basically a warm place for people to go as well as some referral functions. We had been talking with the provider about having more opportunities for people to come into that particular facility and offer referrals and other services. The NWT Disabilities Council intends to expand their services to include a process for more referrals and management of the day shelter. They also intend to have some adult service workers scheduled for regular office hours come in and visit as well as some individuals from public health to come in and provide visits on a regular basis. Mr. Speaker, these people already work for the Government of the Northwest Territories. They already provide these services. It’s a matter of going to people who need those services as opposed to waiting for them to come to us. So we don’t need a whole lot more money to provide something we’re already providing. It’s a matter of getting the people to connect, and the day shelter is going to prove to be a location where we can connect. Thank you.
This is where the Minister and our ideology differ. I know the Minister takes pride for doing what’s right for the residents of the Northwest Territories, and he did the honour of opening the new shelter this fall. However, it is clear, with the information that we have today, we are still lacking the required funds for a successful NWT day shelter facility.
Will this Minister commit to making sure we have in place solid targets, proper timelines and the proper funding dollars needed to deal with all levels of withdrawal management programs for our shelter residents? Thank you.
We have processes and programs in place in the Northwest Territories for individuals who are suffering from addictions. We will have an access point for individuals. Our staff will visit the day shelter on a regular basis and those individuals who are ready to take advantage of some of the programming we have will get that treatment. So, we do have a disagreement.
I believe we have many programs and services available. I believe the day shelter is a great access point, a great place to bring people together and share information. When those individuals are ready to take treatment, we are here to ensure that they get that treatment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s response. Unfortunately, history has shown this department has failed to publicly disclose the full operational cost for the shelter service nor has ever tabled a full cost accounting analysis.
Can the Minister commit to turn over a new leaf and agree to make an annual disclosure of full cost accounting of the Yellowknife Territorial Day Shelter? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we disclosed in the previous contract how much we had contracted for the services for the previous day shelter. The information of what we are spending on this day shelter is out and available, but as we move on, we would be happy to provide the Member with actual costs at the end of each fiscal year, as well as committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
