Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 22, 2011, the deputy ministers of both Justice and Health and Social Services penned a joint letter to His Worship Mayor Gord Van Tighem concerning GNWT involvement on the City of Yellowknife’s Social Issues Committee. I tabled a copy of the letter on Wednesday afternoon.
The City of Yellowknife does not have a mandate to deal with health and social services issues within the community; no community does. This is a mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Regardless, the City of Yellowknife recognizes that they have a role in advising the GNWT and the Government of Canada on social issues within the city of Yellowknife. They also recognize that in city planning they need to be aware of social issues affecting the residents and how these issues can affect city administration and potential programming. Things like, but not limited to, affordable housing, community enhancement, and recreational programming are all affected by social issues affecting residents of Yellowknife and all communities throughout the Northwest Territories.
To address this, the city developed the Yellowknife Social Issues Committee to assist the GNWT by considering issues, conveying areas of concern, and providing advice to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The city asked the GNWT, in particular the departments of Justice and Health and Social Services, to have representation on this committee. Until March 2011 both of these departments had representation on this committee. By way of a letter tabled on Wednesday, the deputy ministers informed the mayor that their respective departments and the GNWT as a whole would no longer be active members of this committee. In my opinion, the arguments for removing themselves as active members of the committee were sound. Given the committee’s mandate, emergent areas of interest, and expectations of the GNWT, it is reasonable to assume that the GNWT employees would be placed in potential areas of conflict of interest. In the responses, the deputy ministers did indicate that they would make staff available, at the request of the committee, to answer questions on specific programs provided by the GNWT which may be of interest to the committee.
This is certainly one option to consider. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that it will really meet the needs of the city and it certainly doesn’t provide the GNWT with an ongoing and timely community perspective. I feel that there is a better option than just making staff available upon demand. I suggest that to avoid a potential conflict of interest, that the GNWT commit to having representatives from both of these departments attend these committee meetings as non-voting advisors. In addition to being advisors, these individuals could be effective liaisons between the city and the Government of the Northwest Territories on social issues.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
This is a win-win for both sides. The city will have timely access to program information and the GNWT will always be up to date on issues concerning the residents of Yellowknife and, by default, they will be ready to respond to official requests in a proactive manner rather than reactive manner. This is a good thing. This model could be easily used in all communities throughout the NWT and would enhance relationships between the GNWT and all community and regional governments.
At the appropriate time I will be asking either the Minister of Justice or the Minister of Health and Social Services some questions on this topic.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned by our colleague Mr. Abernethy earlier, the mayor of the City of Yellowknife recently received a letter from two GNWT deputy ministers. The message in that letter was that our government, the departments of Health and Social Services and Justice, would no longer fully participate on the Yellowknife Social Issues Committee.
Like Mr. Abernethy, I am deeply disappointed by this decision, Mr. Speaker. I believe it is very much a move in the wrong direction. The Yellowknife bi-annual community survey has several times identified social problems in the city as the number one issue for Yellowknife residents. My community government, Yellowknife City Council, is being proactive, responding to the concerns of residents by establishing a Social Issues Committee. They want to make life in our city better, and they are working to improve the community for residents and visitors alike.
So where does the responsibility lie for ensuring the social well-being of residents? Not with the city. That financial and program responsibility belongs with the territorial government. With the action outlined in the letter, the GNWT is backing away from that responsibility. The government should welcome the positive and proactive approach of Yellowknife’s council and should recognize the value that an active, interested organization can bring to the table when trying to solve our social ills.
The provision of health services, social services and justice services by this government to NWT residents is handled through our departments of Health and Social Services and Justice. This government should be working through those departments, should be working with the City of Yellowknife to advance initiatives and create success in the area of social issues. We have seen a few of those successful collaborations. The day shelter is one of them. The Homelessness Coalition, which includes GNWT representation, has proven to be a very positive force and has accomplished a great deal. Why can’t that same thing happen with the Yellowknife Social Issues Committee?
I have to wonder, Mr. Speaker, where the priorities of the City of Yellowknife sit with this government. How committed is the GNWT to supporting our capital city both in funding and with human resources support?
This government needs to remember that the city of Yellowknife is 50 percent of the NWT population, that the city of Yellowknife is the engine, the main generator for the NWT economy, that the city of Yellowknife has services here which many NWT residents come here to use.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Whether you like it or not, Yellowknife is a magnet community and, as such, provides for many Northerners who’ve moved here from their home community to access better services. The financial strain that that puts on Yellowknife must be recognized by this government.
Mr. Speaker, a community striving to improve itself for the benefit of its residents should not be penalized for their actions.
I will have questions for the Deputy Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
