Madam Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Health concerning the classification of public health nurses. I sent a letter to the Minister on January 27 on this subject and I haven't received a reply. The Minister is aware that when we took over Health in 1988 from the federal government, the public health nurses were given a commitment then by the then Minister of Health, by the then Minister of Finance, myself, and the then Premier, that the classification of their position would be looked at and would be adjusted accordingly. They came over to our government on that understanding. Six years later, there has been no action on this commitment by our government. My question to the Minister of Health, what steps is he taking to have this government live up to a very serious commitment made six years ago?
Question 89-12(5): Classification Of Public Health Nurses
In the Legislative Assembly on February 15th, 1994. See this topic in context.
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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North
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The Speaker
Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.
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John Pollard Hay River
Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are just coming to the end now and should be finished by June or July of this year, the reclassification of in excess of 4,500 positions in the Government of the Northwest Territories. This issue will be dealt with, within the total job reclassification. Thank you.
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The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.
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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North
That is well and good, Madam Speaker, but I think we are talking about 20 positions. They were given a specific commitment by this government. These nurses in Yellowknife are the backbone of the health delivery system here in Yellowknife. Everyone who was here during the whooping cough epidemic realized the sort of work that they do. I find it appalling that the government hasn't lived up to that commitment. So I ask the Minister if he will look at this as a very special case and live up to a commitment made by this government over the last six years?
Supplementary To Question 89-12(5): Classification Of Public Health Nurses
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The Speaker
Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.
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John Pollard Hay River
Madam Speaker, I would point out that the Member who is asking the question, was the government at the time. I will deal with this issue, along with the other job classifications. If there is a priority in this area, then I will look at it as a priority. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Further Return To Question 89-12(5): Classification Of Public Health Nurses
Question 89-12(5): Classification Of Public Health Nurses
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February 14th, 1994
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The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, the honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.
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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, I will put it on the record. It is a priority. To me, it was such a simple commitment that I had assumed it has been done. This group of nurses is so professional and reasonable that they haven't caused a lot of fuss about it. They have tried very hard to come to some sort of accommodation with the government. So, I will ask again, will the Minister make this a priority and deal with it? The government's credibility is on the line here.
Supplementary To Question 89-12(5): Classification Of Public Health Nurses
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The Speaker
Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.
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Some Hon. Members
(Microphones turned off)
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John Pollard Hay River
Madam Speaker, I will make it a priority. I will go away and look at it and report back to this House tout de suite. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
---Applause
Further Return To Question 89-12(5): Classification Of Public Health Nurses
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The Speaker
Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.