This is page numbers 78 - 106 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was standing.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the planned schedule for regional consolidation is April 1, 1995. One manager in each region will be responsible for the delivery of all health and social services. The complete consolidation and integration of services is planned for April 1, 1996. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. There is going to be a big impact on our communities and regions and there are staff in many of these places. I'm just wondering what type of consultation the department is doing to involve the people in the communities in this consolidation.

Supplementary To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, in terms of the regional consolidation, the new deputy minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Lovely, has been to all regions to begin discussions with staff and with organizations that would be affected by the consolidation. As well, I have personally attended various meetings that I have been invited to, to start discussions on what things have to be done and what type of work has to be communicated to the people presently working in the two departments.

Consultation and communication has begun. There has been at least one visit to each region and each regional grouping. We have also consulted with workers at the primary level. This will continue in order to make the turnover as positive as possible.

We know that the regions and the communities will both be affected by the change. Therefore, there is quite a hectic schedule to make sure we deal directly with those who are going to be affected. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 46-12(6): Consolidation Of Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services in regards to the consolidation of the two departments. I would like to know, Madam Speaker, what the department is doing in the Nahendeh constituency where we don't have many boards at all. The Mackenzie Regional Health Board was looking after my constituency as well as other constituencies in the south Slave. What is going on with consolidation in this area? Mahsi.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, as the Member is aware, there was a meeting held with representatives from those two areas about the next step they would want to take in looking at a board structure. Subsequently, I dealt with the representatives in the different regions about how to take the next steps. Those representatives were supposed to reply to myself or the department so that we can look at what has been done up to this time and to see if they've digested the information and the options that were put to them so that we could make some changes, whether it is the formation of a full-blown board or to continue more support services in the regions. I am still awaiting our next consultation to deal with that. Thank you.

Return To Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister a supplementary question about the Mackenzie Regional Health Board, which is located in Yellowknife. Are there plans to move some of the positions of the Mackenzie Regional Health Board to the communities, in Fort Simpson, for example, or Rae? Are there plans of this nature? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, that issue has been discussed and that is part of the reorganization. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Question 47-12(6): Consolidation Of H&ss In Nahendeh And Deh Cho Regions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 84

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier in my Member's statement, I spoke on the issue of suicides. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I would like to ask

the Minister if she's aware of the recent increase of suicide attempts in the community of Coppermine? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, yes, I am aware of the incidents in Coppermine as well as a number of incidents in other Members' constituencies. I concur with the Member in relationship to his original statement. In our attempt to rationalize needs and requirements in the communities, one of the areas that I am trying to address is what type of people are needed in the communities, what type of support and where are they best deployed. We are trying to address that matter. Presently, there are many positions and programs out there now that are probably not serving their original purpose, although they may originally have been relevant.

I know communities are suggesting that a different type of support be provided to the communities. In relationship to suicide prevention and mental health, I believe we can refocus on these two areas rather than continuing the redundant programs we are providing right now. Thank you.

Return To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister when her department will address the issue of increased suicide attempts, not only in Coppermine but in other communities as well?

Supplementary To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I believe this is one of the areas we did not discuss at the recent meeting with the health care givers that was held in Cambridge Bay a couple of days ago. While the issue is being dealt with at the regional level in the Inuvik area, I believe that some of the initiatives they have taken in terms of redeploying person years or help to communities, in support of mental health, are some of the areas I would like to discuss with the region.

However, I have asked the department to pay some immediate attention to Coppermine and their requirements because there was an incident. We look at that on an interim basis, but in overall planning, we have to look at where we are providing services and what kind. I suggested to the regional group that if they want meetings, it would have to be over the weekend. They are looking at when we can have this discussion. I would like to have some opinion as to what can be redirected for suicide and mental health. I would like to have that discussion with the communities involved, because it appears to me there are different ways people want to handle these issues from region to region and community to community. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister what type of resources are currently available in the department to address suicide prevention in the Northwest Territories.

Supplementary To Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Question 48-12(6): Rash Of Suicide Attempts In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 85

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.