Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services, soon to be departed but none the less still Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, my question is in regards to the tendency over the last three and a half years for the department of Health and Social Services to keep innumerable studies and reviews and planning issues on the go with no real time when the planning and strategic train pulls into the station, and you can actually see the product and start making decisions based on this extensive strategic planning. Could the Minister indicate, as he mentioned in his statement yesterday, that once again they are into strategic planning mode, when in fact will we start to see some final products so that decisions can be made, planning can be done for children, for facilities, for health care centres? Thank you.
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
In the Legislative Assembly on March 23rd, 1999. See this topic in context.
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
March 22nd, 1999
Page 76
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as all Members know, when you are dealing with health and social services issues, they are very complex and a lot of them are inter-related and quite frankly, the way I see it, there are evolving needs and you cannot put finality to a lot of these things. But what I think is important to recognize though, is that services are continuing to be provided and as programs change, those program changes will hopefully be beneficial to the constituency that they are trying to serve.
As many service providers are impacted when you try to change policies, and quite frankly, you have boards involved, you have non-profit agencies, you have communities and other deliverers of services. It is very complex if you are trying to mitigate any potential detrimental impact on any of these groups or organizations, that you have to try to coordinate some of these changes and make sure that they work. Thank you.
Return To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.
Supplementary To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that plain English response. My understanding of what the Minister said to us, if I can try to interpret it, is that you have to keep this process going and that you cannot really ever finalize it, you cannot come to the point where you make decisions; in the meantime, the department of Health officials will take care of business. I am concerned as a member of the Social Programs Committee and as MLA, of course, that in fact, we have heard year after year from our officials about all of these strategies. There are child welfare issues that are unresolved for instance.
There has to be a point when there are documents on the table that we can all look at so that we know that we are moving ahead in a planned way. Can the Minister indicate if there is a plan to bring some finality to these strategies at least on an interim basis so that, in fact, recommendations are on the table and we can look at them and move ahead as a department, as a government and as the Northwest Territories? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is finality and terms of reference of work plans and timelines for all of these strategies and quite frankly I do not have the specifics of each one with me, but I would be more that willing to provide that to the honourable Member. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.
Supplementary To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate when he would be able to do this? Is it before Friday, after Friday, I know the time is tight, but this is an important issue and I know he is going to have other responsibilities soon, but the problems are going to remain behind for us. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 76
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you. I will try to provide it as soon as
possible. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Question 28-13(7): Health And Social Services Strategic Planning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 77
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Morin.