Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of MACA about the lack of transparency by this government related to the actual operation costs of the 911 program. The 18th Assembly placed a fee cap of $1.70 per user per month for three years, regardless of the program costs. Will the Minister be open and transparent and provide the 2020 actual costs to the Members? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The annual report for the operations of the NWT 911 Program will be tabled during this session. This includes the operation costs for NWT 911 during the first six months of operation. The delay in tabling the report is targeted toward public safety being solely focused on COVID-19.
One of the 19th Assembly's priorities is to reduce the cost of living for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Will the Minister guarantee that the GNWT will subsidize the zero-based budget of NWT 911, keeping the call-answer levy at no more than $1.70 for the life of this Assembly?
The Northwest Territories 911 Act includes provisions to cap the call-answer levy at $1.70 for the first three years of operation of the system. We are just entering into the second year of operation, so no change to this fee will be made prior to 2022-2023.
Will the Minister agree to properly fund the NWT 911 before funding the COVID 811 service? When will 911 be funded correctly so that the staff are not burned out, doing double shifts, missing meals and breaks, and potentially compromising the residents need in case of emergency?
The NWT 911 service and the COVID 811 service are operated in two different departments for two totally different purposes, and accordingly, the budgets of these programs are developed independently. These are both important services to residents who need appropriate resources. The 811 service and the COVID agency is under the authority of the Premier. I will not comment on the funding for the program beyond saying that it is important and I do support it.
The department is adding additional terms and relief staff to the dispatch centre to support existing staff. I also wanted to include that stress management training is also offered, and quiet rooms and fitness machines to alleviate stress. Online and phone therapies are available, as well as peer-to-peer support through Alberta critical incident network, and one-on-one counseling following critical calls and support from the medical professionals to intervene on particular trauma calls.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to advocating with the Premier so that the funding for 911 that is not being provided properly is not spent on COVID 811 or ProtectNWT? Thank you.
I will have a conversation with the Premier in regard to COVID-19 and the 811, and I will follow up with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.
