Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today, Mr. Speaker, is regarding the Department of Health and Social Services in the Sahtu. In light of the recent initiative to include community wellness and mental health workers into the government system, I had a call from a member from the Sahtu about the reclassification of the mental health worker in my community, and they wanted to know why, Mr. Minister, I heard she had to reapply for a position that she held for a long time.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 139-15(3): Reclassification Of Mental Health Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the full particulars of the individual case that the Member is mentioning, but I would be glad to commit to check into the questions that he does have so that we can make sure that it is addressed. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 139-15(3): Reclassification Of Mental Health Workers

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The other issue in my communities, maybe across the Northwest Territories also, is about mental health workers who are in a position for a long, long time, and then when they have a chance for this new program, the initiative by the department is that they have to reapply for their position again. Some of the communities feel safe and secure with the old mental health worker. Now they get reclassified, and the standards are quite high, and this discourages members from working in the communities. Could the Minister inform the House as to reasons for this type of initiative? Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return to Question 139-15(3): Reclassification Of Mental Health Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the intent of the alcohol and drug mental health strategy was to specifically initially look at the alcohol and drug workers, and recognized that for years they have laboured in relative isolation and at a very, very low level of pay with no benefits. Tied in with that was the recognized need that mental health services, as well, can supplement the work done by alcohol and drug workers. The alcohol and drug workers are subsequently reclassified, and need title to community wellness workers, and we have added some mental health workers to the mix as well. They were all given pay increases, positions were classified, there were job descriptions done, and paid benefits were tied to those positions. Mr. Speaker, the intent in this was not to lay people off. The intent of this was to recognize the work that’s being done, to allow for the incumbents to be given prior learning assessments, and if necessary give the training to upgrade their skills. So I say again, Mr. Speaker, the intent is not to lay people off, and we do have, in my opinion, and if we don’t, we do now have provisions for grandfathered incumbents so that they can be given the training that they are capable of, and we recognize their years of service. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 139-15(3): Reclassification Of Mental Health Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Minister. I was one of those workers at one time. I was a drug and alcohol worker in Tulita, and I know the frustration that the mental health workers go through, drug and alcohol workers go through in terms of providing services to our people, and I encourage the department. I guess I am concerned about the people that do work in this field, the community wellness workers and mental health workers, that they continue on as some of the people feel comfortable with the workers in their field. I have a hard time seeing, Mr. Minister, reclassifying and having them reapply for a job that they have held for many years. Could the Minister commit to look at this issue with some of the people in our region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 139-15(3): Reclassification Of Mental Health Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will make that commitment. Thank you.