Debates of November 2, 2022 (day 131)

Date
November
2
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
131
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Committee Motion 342-19(2): Set-up Mechanism for Staff-Identified Changes, Carried

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends the Department of Health and Social Services and health and social services authorities set up a distinct method for frontline staff to identify barriers to care and cultural safety or propose better practices and policies on an ongoing basis and provide a timeline for implementation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi. The motion is in order. Mr. Johnson.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to I believe this is a recommendation that committee will look to make it to a number of departments and that there's no real formalized mechanism right now for frontline staff in the GNWT to recommend policy changes. You know, I sometimes get emails from them saying hey, please don't tell anyone I'm contacting an MLA, or they sometimes go up to the director. But I think there's some good examples. There was just a review done of income assistance and they talked to all the frontline staff, and a number of recommendations that were relatively easy to implement came out immediately. And so I just think all departments need to have some sort of method in place where their frontline staff can identify concerns in regards to policies and practices and then that there's a formal mechanism to actually review that. We kind of do it on a oneoff basis every few years through surveys or when we are reviewing a program, but I think something much more regular across government is needed and especially as a priority for our addictions services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried.

Carried

Mr. Johnson.