Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Social Programs would like to report on transition matters.
As the 16th Legislative Assembly draws to a close, the Standing Committee on Social Programs continues to monitor a variety of important issues and initiatives. Through this transition report the committee wishes to highlight areas Members believe will require continued attention in the 17th Assembly.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs is comprised of five Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly. The committee’s role is to consider the following with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services; Justice; and Education, Culture and Employment.
review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth and persons with disabilities;
review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies;
consider all others referred to by the House.
I’d now like to continue the reading to deputy chair, Mr. Abernethy. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.
In the spring of 2010 following a formal formation in the House, the government agreed to begin working on an Anti-Poverty Strategy. A workshop entitled No Place for Poverty was hosted by Alternatives North and the YWCA in 2010. A discussion paper was due in spring 2011, with actions to be considered by the 17th Assembly, but it is not available to the committee and it is now due in September for inclusion in transition materials. A summary of public input on the issue, “what we heard from Northerners about poverty,“ was provided to the Standing Committee on Social Programs during the August sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Housing must be an important component of the Anti-Poverty Strategy. The NWT Housing Corporation Shelter Policy review is due to be completed and ready for review on the arrival of Members of the 17th Assembly.
Various legislation that would be referred to the Standing Committee on Social Programs has been discussed or proposed to the 16th Assembly. Most notable are the inclusion of naturopaths and massage therapists in the Health Professions Act and amendments to the Legal Aid Act.
The committee is concerned that many programs and services are difficult to assess in the smaller communities. The reason for this is often the lack of presence on the ground. For example, no local police officer, social worker, nurse, mental health worker, addictions counsellor, et cetera. This represents a very serious challenge to the effectiveness of many departmental programs. The one-window approach to accessing government services has been piloted by the Executive department in several communities. An update on the results may be useful to committee members early in the first months of the 17th Assembly.
A great deal of work has been done in recent years by both the GNWT and non-government organizations to reduce family violence in the Northwest Territories. Within government the departments of Health and Social Services; Education, Culture and Employment; Justice; and the NWT Housing Corporation have all had a role in phase II of the NWT Family Violence Action Plan, which comes to an end on March 31, 2012. The NWT Coalition Against Family Violence has completed its final report, which makes 19 recommendations for work to be done in phase III of the action plan. These recommendations warrant the committee’s attention in the 17th Assembly.
I’ll now pass over continued reading to my colleague Ms. Bisaro. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
A full review of the act resulted in 71 practical recommendations for improving the system. Most were accepted, or accepted in principle, and await funding allocations to complete. Some initial steps were taken in the 2011-2012 budget, notably to establish child and family service committees in at least five more communities, and to expand the Healthy Families Program.
A number of other recommendations are advanced in the department’s strategic plan 2011-2015. The committee held public meetings in 10 communities. Expectations are high that changes will take place over several years, along with regular reviews of the act.
The Auditor General of Canada reviewed health services in 2010 and reported to the Standing Committee on Government Operations in March 2011. The report included seven major recommendations for the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Human Resources. The Standing Committee on Government Operation’s report was tabled in May 2011, and included the recommendations that the Department of Health and Social Services update the Standing Committee on Social Programs on the progress of implementing the Auditor General’s recommendations. This update has not occurred, and no implementation plan has been presented to either standing committee. The government’s response to the Standing Committee on Government Operation’s recommendations was tabled on August 19, 2011. The 17th Assembly may wish to review the progress of the department.
The Department of Health and Social Services has agreed to provide quarterly updates on the challenging task of modernizing and streamlining the Northwest Territories health system, but reminders are often required. The most recent update was provided on August 19, 2011. The Foundation for Change and the draft 2011-2015 Strategic Plan was provided on the same day, and therefore, only a quick review was possible. The strategic plan outlines the principle actions to be taken to modernize and streamline the health system over the next five years, and should be reviewed more carefully by the next committee. With significant changes in the department’s leadership in recent months, a timely update early in the 17th Assembly’s mandate may be appropriate. Governance of health authorities and their deficits, as well as the Territorial Addictions Treatment Strategy will likely be of particular interest.
The Midwifery Program has never been fully implemented. Service has been temporarily cut back in Yellowknife, but the Department of Health and Social Services continues to be committed to midwifery services in as many communities as is practical. A model to accomplish this across the Northwest Territories is being developed, to be completed in 2011-2012 for potential inclusion in the 2013-2014 business plan. It is the committee’s view that there should be midwifery services in every community.
In response to pressure from the Assembly, the Department of Health and Social Services is developing a Territorial Respite Care Program for inclusion in the 2012-2013 business plan. The new program will include existing services operating in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Aklavik, and Deline.
I would like to hand off the reading of the report to my colleague Mr. Bromley, MLA for Weledeh.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The government’s attempts to modify and expand supplementary health benefits resulted in only minor policy changes, but the Supplementary Health Benefits Policy was rescinded, with program delivery falling back under Extended Health Benefits and Metis Health Benefits. The government deferred including residents who lacked coverage through their employer or other programs. A plan for accomplishing this has not yet been presented.
The Department of Health and Social Services is also developing a Pharmaceutical Strategy to include generic drugs, drug pricing and efficiencies, and cost containment of pharmaceuticals, procurement, distribution, and access. These changes were to be made during the 16th Assembly; a progress update is overdue.
The need for addiction services figured prominently in the committee’s recommendations in its review of the Child and Family Services Act. Recommendations in this area were conditionally accepted by the government, subject to the availability of resources. There have also been motions in the House supporting on-the-land treatment programs, and discussion of a territorial assessment and treatment facility. It is the committee’s view that there is a wide, general public recognition of the need for improved addiction services. More work is required to determine the best way to deliver these services. There should be a multi-departmental approach to supporting and promoting them. As resources will be required, advancing this work will likely be a critical issue for the 17th Assembly early in its mandate.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is reviewing its early childhood development programs, and plans to incorporate the results into the Aboriginal Achievement Initiative. This is due to be set out in the 2012-2013 business plan. The Early Childhood Development Framework for Action is due in September 2011 and should be presented to committee early in the 17th Assembly.
The Office of the Auditor General reviewed the Department of Education in 2009, making nine significant recommendations for improvements in a report presented to the Standing Committee on Government Operations in 2010. It was agreed between the standing committees on Government Operations and Social Programs that the latter would monitor the department’s progress in acting on the Auditor General’s advice. The Minister of Education provided the first seven-page update in August 2011.
The Assembly has passed several motions on student financial assistance, calling for expansion of the program, and increases in allowances unaltered since 2000. The Minister has stated that the program is under review, which is expected to continue throughout 2011-2012. Any proposed changes are to be implemented in 2012-2013.
I’d like now to pass the feather to committee chair, Mr. Beaulieu, to complete the report.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The committee has done preliminary research on special courts across North America where accused persons with mental health issues are diverted from mainstream courts and corrections systems. The goal is for program participants to take responsibility for their actions, and receive treatment and support to deal with their conditions. The results are encouraging, including lowering rates of reoffending among diversion participants. The committee’s research has been forwarded to the Ministers of Justice and Health and Social Services for consideration and further work.
Along with proposed changes to the Legal Aid Act, there is tremendous need for improvement of legal services, particularly in the smaller communities and in child protection cases.
The Arctic Tern facility in Inuvik was closed on March 31, 2011, but the future of the building remains uncertain, as it required repairs before being put to another use. The Public Works Minister was asked to report to committee on the scope of work to be done and the schedule for new occupancy. The committee may wish to request this update early in the its mandate.
As a result of the closure of Arctic Tern, a planning study was done for a female offenders unit at the Fort Smith Correctional Centre. A final design was approved in January 2011, and the project has been flagged as a priority project in the capital plan, however, no funding was approved to proceed in 2012-2013.
This concludes the Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on Transition Matters. Members extend their best wishes to the next committee when it convenes early in the new year.
I have a motion.
