Mr. Chairman, as the Minister is aware, and has mentioned, there has been, just this week, a conference of alcohol and drug workers taking place in Yellowknife. I met with them for an hour and a half earlier in the week. The entire group expressed a very large concern over the fact that they thought confident people, once trained, if they were not adequately compensated, would quickly move on to other jobs. The bottom line is, they feel that salaries and benefits for alcohol and drug workers, while having been increased in the last year, are still below what is required to keep confident, well-trained people in their positions. Does this budget allow for any improvement in the funding to societies to increase salaries and benefits for alcohol and drug workers?
Debates of March 19th, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Madam Minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Does the Minister agree that the level of salaries and benefits for alcohol and drug workers may lead to a problem with keeping competent, well-trained individuals in the jobs? If so, how does the department intend to address that in the next year?
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Madam Minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will let my deputy minister respond to that.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Deputy minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
Dunbar
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There has been a recommendation made to the department that any lapsing funds in 1993-94 be applied to areas such as the salaries for alcohol and drug workers and the food rates for social assistance. That will be, obviously, taken into consideration as we go through the fiscal year.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1046
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The deputy minister mentioned 1993-94 lapsing funds. I believe the intention of the
Standing Committee on Finance, of which I am a Member, is that the department be allowed to keep any lapsed funds from the 1992-93 budget to use for improvement in alcohol and drug workers' salaries and food allowance rates. We were not recommending the 1993-94 budget lapses, we were recommending that this year's current lapses be allowed to be maintained by the department for use to immediately improve social assistance rates and alcohol and drug workers' salaries and benefits.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Madam Minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would have to discuss that with Cabinet. Thank you.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the record, will the Minister commit to discussing that with Cabinet in the very near future?
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Madam Minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the paperwork is under way. Hopefully, it will be within the month. Thank you.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would hope it is before the end of the fiscal year, which is a week from next Wednesday, and that the decision could be made before the funds are lapsed.
I have one other question that has to do with community mental health. In travelling around with the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, we have heard several times that there needs to be more involvement by elders in the process of healing and counselling. I was wondering if the department has considered the use of lay groups, especially using elders in communities, to provide counselling and community mental health assistance, rather than relying on professionals.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Madam Minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are promoting the development of the community groups on mental health. Thank you.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am glad to hear this approach is being considered. One of the concerns expressed by people who are pushing for this kind of expanded use of lay people, and particularly elders, was they might not receive enough professional back up. I would hope the department and the Minister are keeping in mind that it seems to be a common feeling in the communities that lay people could accomplish much, but they also need to have confident back up and training. It was felt regional specialists could assist by travelling from community to community and assisting these community groups to ensure people were not winding up in situations where they were over their heads and, perhaps, trying to counsel people in situations they were not qualified to deal with. I do not know if there is a question there or a comment, but it is something I hope the Minister is going to keep in mind.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Madam Minister.
Committee Motion 111-12(3): Allocation Of Funds For
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1047
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will make it a priority, personally and as the Minister, to have counselling services available because we will need them. Thank you.