Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The people from Fort Liard have some serious concerns about social services in their community. The community needs a second social worker to support the one that is currently there.
Minister Lee and I travelled to Fort Liard in the fall of 2010. She had heard from the concerned citizens about this. There is a second social worker. However, due to medical reasons, she has been off work now for about eight months. Deh Cho Health and Social Services did have a plan for extra coverage, but it is difficult to do from Fort Simpson.
There has been a case where a previous social worker from Fort Liard resigned due to job burnout. During the Christmas holidays the health addictions counsellor went on holidays, leaving the social worker to do the job of three people.
The community wants a social worker and it needs them to be supported. The Minister advised that it was not possible to fill the position in Fort Liard on a casual basis. I think that this is a mistake. We need to find a way to have full-time casual workers or another solution to the problem. We must take this issue seriously and do all we can to help Fort Liard. Staff has been available from Fort Simpson to support Fort Liard, but short visits and long-distance phone calls is not the same as having local staff.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions for the Minister. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
