Debates of August 15, 2007 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services in follow up to the Members’ statements by myself and the Member from Range Lake and it’s to do with the current labour dispute at Trailcross. I’d first like to acknowledge the efforts of the Minister to try to resolve this, but I’d like to ask the Minister if he could update this House to the most current circumstance in terms of what is happening with the strike? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 117-15(6): Trailcross Labour Dispute

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll have to be very careful in responding to this issue. As the Member is aware, there is still a process in place and all those negotiations have halted. There are some discussions still going back and forth. Our first priority, as a Department of Health and Social Services, was to ensure that the youth in that facility were taken care of in other facilities and we’ve done so and we’ll continue to monitor that. On the other side of the equation, we’ve done our part through the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority in contacting the contractor to see how things are going and to encourage a settlement in this area. I, as well, have spoken to union officials and encouraged that we would come up with a successful conclusion and I believe we’re, in fact, quite close to a conclusion, hopefully, that they can reach soon. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 117-15(6): Trailcross Labour Dispute

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Minister for the update. I as well understand that they are very close to a settlement. I’d just like to ask the Minister if he would commit to continue to use the powers of his good office to try to encourage the parties to come to some resolution so that everybody can get back to work and the children can get the care they need? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 117-15(6): Trailcross Labour Dispute

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, to the extent we’re able to. We have to recognize the fact that this contract and the union negotiations are going outside our processes. So I’ll have to be careful that we’re not deemed to be influencing process on either side, but we’ve been monitoring it on a regular basis and we’ve had our contact to see what was happening in the current settlement. We will continue to do what we can within our realm of authority to try and ensure that this comes out to a successful conclusion; the sooner, the better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.