Debates of October 25, 2006 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for Mr. Roland, the Minister of Health and Social Services, and it concerns the stoppage of addictions treatment at Nats'ejee K'eh which ended Monday afternoon, I understand, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to confirm or find out, Mr. Speaker, who exactly is the employer of the 22 people involved in the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Nats'ejee K'eh Society board of directors are the employer. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In general, Mr. Speaker, what is the nature of the contract or the relationship that our government has in terms of funding and supporting this society?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the arrangement we have is with the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority who then has a contract in place for delivery of these services with the Nats'ejee K'eh Society. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Mr. Speaker, is our government directly, or perhaps through the health authority, involved in any way with the negotiations or the framework for negotiations with the workers?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're not directly involved with the negotiations or the board in this area. We are monitoring the situation as things progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Mr. Speaker, are negotiations in fact underway at this time? We're now two days into the disruption of service there, and what steps will we take, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that what I would say is an essential service is restored as soon as possible, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 193-15(5): Disruption Of Service At Nats’ejee K’eh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what we've done to date is I've just signed off a letter to the organizations, both parties, to urge them to get back to negotiations. From the side of delivery of services, we are prepared for those who are seeking support in the area of addictions help, that we would ensure that services are available to them whether in the territory or out of the territory. Thank you.