The committee was very concerned that the Digital Communication Network was not meeting the needs of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The committee heard that the lack of bandwidth is impacting on the ability of the Department of Health and Social Services to implement its Telehealth program. This is apparently also a problem with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and impacts on their ability to deliver distance education programs.
Committee members believe that the further development of the Telehealth network is an important link in the department's goal to provide better and more cost-effective health care to Northerners.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has invested significant fiscal resources in the development of the Digital Communications Network. Committee members believe that if this investment has been for four-year old technology that can no longer meet the needs of the department, it may be time for the government to seek other options.
The committee strongly encourages the department to work in conjunction with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Financial Management Board to resolve the outstanding bandwidth issues with Ardicom and the Digital Communication Network and looks forward to positive resolution of the issue.