Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we begin the consideration of the Health and Social Services budget today I want to give voice to my concerns about the Foundation for Change planning document apparently in use by the department. It apparently guides the department’s operations and activities, but this “strategic document,” to quote the Minister, contains little detail on how it does that. That is my concern.
The idea of a strategic document to reform the Department of Health and Social Services was first presented to Members through the Standing Committee on Social Programs about a year and a half ago. I was excited to hear of the department’s plan and anticipated some fundamental changes to the way Health and Social Services delivers its programs; changes which would increase efficiencies and the coordination of their programs. I looked forward to further information and some specifics from the Minister; a fleshing out of the document, so to speak, to have the department put some meat on the bones. That information, that detail, never came. Since the initial briefing by the Minister to the Standing Committee on Social Programs, Members have heard consistent reference to the Foundation for Change in response to questions, queries for information, and in briefings, but without any details provided.
The Minister has referenced us to a website that she says tells us everything we want to know, that it gives us the detail we’re working for and provides quarterly updates on the Foundation for Change. I’ve checked out that website several times and have been disappointed each time I go there. The actions listed under the priorities are more fittingly titled objectives, and the actions necessary to achieve those objectives are very much missing. Priorities and desired results are there, but there’s little to show how the department will achieve those desired results. The detail which would explain how the promised reform will happen is just not there. As of today, the most recent update on the Foundation for Change website covers the period January 1 to March 31, 2010, almost a year old.
As Mr. Ramsay often remarks, we Regular Members are here to stay on top of things and keep the government accountable. I agree with that view and, like the Member for Kam Lake, I take that responsibility seriously. But how can I, how can we Regular Members do our job in the absence of valid, meaningful information?
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
