Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program

In the Legislative Assembly on March 31st, 1995. See this topic in context.

Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat. Mr. Speaker, as is pointed out in the report of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, for care givers to effectively do their job, it is necessary for them to be well first. We heard that many were in need of help themselves and, therefore, not truly ready to help others deal with their problems.

For that reason, one of the recommendations in the report was that an employee assistance program be established by the government; in effect, heal the healers first if we are expecting them to be able to help the community heal. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear the government is working on the development of an EAP model and implementation plan. Could the Minister outline the principles on which the program will be based?

Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Chairman of the Financial Management Board, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't think that it is any secret that we have been looking at a human resource plan for the Government of the Northwest Territories. That comprises a number of things; the affirmative action policy has to be looked at and one of the other key areas is an employee assistance program. I believe that the original person who brought that forward, when he had this responsibility, was Mr. Kakfwi.

We were looking at that particular area and have been for some time, and have, perhaps, not on the same kind of lines that the committee made their recommendations to us. So, we are now re-looking at the idea that Mr. Dent raises. That is that the front-line workers should be taken into consideration first, and in that regard there has been some discussion with myself and the Premier in her capacity as the Minister of Health and Social Services, to maybe rejig this situation to address the front-line workers in communities. I don't have anything more than that on it at the present time, Mr. Speaker. It is safe to say that we are trying to change the focus at the present time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was initially planned that at least a pilot program would be in operation in fiscal year 1995-96. Is that still the plan of the government?

Supplementary To Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 753

John Pollard Hay River

Yes, it is, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Question 374-12(7): Principles Of Employee Assistance Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

March 30th, 1995

Page 753

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.