Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in the day when I did my Member’s statement, I was speaking about the Stanton Renewal Project and the need to include an Aboriginal wellness centre. So I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services – I know he had discussions with the elders, the Stanton Elders Council on this matter – how supportive is he of such a project? Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister of Health, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department and I recognize the importance of culture in health care, and work to incorporate Aboriginal wellness is being done within Stanton and within the health care system here in the Northwest Territories. We have planned for continued delivery of Aboriginal wellness programs through Stanton, but we do acknowledge that not all of the functions or activities that can be done, or should be done, in the Aboriginal wellness centre could actually be done within the infrastructure of a hospital. There are certain codes that we have to adhere to and some of the activities cannot be done.
The concept of an Aboriginal wellness centre is based on similar approaches that we’ve seen in Alaska and elsewhere, including some things that are being done in the Yukon. Planning for an Aboriginal centre is being done at Stanton Territorial Hospital, and it’s being done at the same time as the Stanton redevelopment. We are working closely with the Elders Advisory Committee and moving forward and planning for an Aboriginal wellness centre on the Stanton grounds. Thank you.
Thank you very much. I guess part of the issue, too, with a stand-alone Aboriginal wellness centre is about funding the business plan case or the business case to provide such a facility, and cost, et cetera, I think even class B engineering estimates. We don’t think it has to meet the high technical standards that a hospital would have. I believe it’s a stand-alone centre.
How can the department assist with planning and creating business plans for such a wellness centre? Thank you.
The Stanton renewal planning work that has been going on has actually identified a piece of land on the property where an Aboriginal wellness centre can go. The next step in planning is actually to develop a more detailed outline of the program requirements, what the Elders Advisory Council would like to see, as well as other Aboriginal government partners. Starting in April, we are going to be developing and consolidating all of that information into a plan that will help us articulate what exactly an Aboriginal wellness centre will be, what standards, what codes, what facilities, what programs will be delivered in there. Details on timing and budget and other things like that can’t really be completed until we’ve actually done that work and have a better idea of what it is that we want, to work with our Aboriginal partners to create here in the Northwest Territories. Much of the final construction will not be able to proceed until we’ve identified the resources required, potential partners, and we also have to continue to move forward with the Stanton redevelopment. We need to find out what that project is going to look like and we are still waiting for proposals from the three qualified proponents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It shows that the department is willing to entertain and move forward with this. I would like to know how well the department continues to endorse and support this very worthwhile initiative. The Stanton Renewal Project is to be completed in five years. We do have an opportunity to include this as part of the completion in five years.
An Aboriginal wellness centre was not part of the plan of the Stanton renewal, but is something we have articulated to the qualified proponents and we are hoping to see some interest on their part to move forward. We are also pursuing other partners, Aboriginal organizations, Aboriginal governments who might have an interest in being partners on this important facility that we would like to create here in Yellowknife for all the residents of the Northwest Territories.
We acknowledge fully that this is an important building. It needs to be done. We do need to find a way to make it happen, but the first thing we need to do is figure out exactly what services and programs should be delivered there, and we are relying on Aboriginal governments and the Elders Advisory Council to help us with that. They are going to be doing a significant amount of work, starting in April, for the next three or four months to articulate and quantify what that will be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am really pleased to hear the progress that has happened to date. I believe the Legislative Assembly has to have the political will. As I said, it’s an idea whose time has come and I believe that we have to throw our full support behind this and our resources. I know they are looking for some resources to do a planning study.
In government we have other departments that certainly support Aboriginal culture, such as ECE and ITI, that have no problem supporting businesses that want to do a business plan. I believe we can take a consolidated approach using all of our resources to benefit this group.
What will be the next steps forward? Would you let this Elders Counsel run on their own, or can there be a more structured approach to get everybody to the table and make this dream come true? Thank you.
The Stanton Elders Advisory Council will be playing a lead role in the work that I have articulated that is going to occur, starting in April, for the next three to four months, the planning, the articulation, programs and services.
We don’t have a lot of money in the Government of the Northwest Territories. Our budgets are incredibly limited. So to move on something like this is going to take a significant amount of creativity and ingenuity. We are looking, as I said, to other partners who might be interested in coming in on this particular project, whether it’s Aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories and we will also be looking within as much as possible. This is an important initiative. There is a lot of interest in this particular project and we would like to find a way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
QUESTION 748-17(5):
EMERGENCY SERVICES IN
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today the Minister spoke about safe communities and I spoke about the need to remove the politics from emergency services, especially in our smaller communities. It’s clear when one hears about a stop work order for an entire fire department that we should be asking those bigger questions. My questions today are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Back in December 2014 the Fort Resolution fire department was issued a stop work order by Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Reports did cite deficiencies reaching as far back as July 2013.
Can the Minister indicate what role his department performed specifically during this concern leading up to the stop work order? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t believe small communities play politics with emergency services because you’re playing politics with the safety and well-being of your residents. The issue was brought to MACA’s attention in late 2013 when WSCC advised us of a non-compliance issue involving the community. In response to this, we work with the community officials to help them develop policies and procedures, by providing guidance, advice and templates. At this time we didn’t assume a hands-on approach in preparing the necessary instrument and tools.
Since December 2014, can the Minister indicate what improvements have been undertaken in the department assisting the hamlet of Fort Resolution to meet emergency service standards of operation? Thank you.
Given the seriousness of the situation and increased fire hazard around Christmas, we worked with the community government to validating a suitable service level by taking a hands-on approach to develop guiding policies, procedures and training plans. I would also like to note and highlight the tremendous effort of the community fire staff and Hay River in their help and training volunteers from Fort Resolution…I almost said Revolution. Their contribution at this time was greatly appreciated and they did a fantastic job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I’m trying to keep the topic of transparency in mind. Can the Minister confirm whether his department compiles community information indicating compliance to the codes and standards of emergency services? If not, why? Thank you.
The office of the fire marshal works extensively with community governments to complete fire department assessments and development plans. Information contained in these assessments provided MACA with a good idea of broad gaps and deficiencies that exist within NWT’s community fire protection system. This helped our key stakeholders, including the NWT Fire Chief’s Association, to develop the Community Fire Protection Plan that contains a number of priority initiatives aimed at improving the system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister shared, earlier today, progress towards the continued implementation of the NWT Community Fire Protection Plan, yet there appears to still be an overall lack of a proper fire safety culture in our communities.
Can the Minister share what he intends to do to fix this monumental problem? Thank you.
It is a problem that we are taking steps to deal with. Every year I have the privilege of attending the NWT Fire Chief’s Association’s annual general meeting. Each year, obviously, the participants showed great interest in this topic. Make no mistake about it, community fire protection in the Northwest Territories is challenging and we are taking steps to deal with that. The communities are upgrading their training and we are working with them to upgrade their training. They also have in their ability, through their CPI funding and gas tax, to purchase firefighting equipment and get the proper training. It is a concern and one that is being dealt with by the communities in the Northwest Territories. I have great confidence in their abilities to put good plans together, implement the plans and make sure they have all the infrastructure they need in place, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
