Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to raise a couple of questions on the integrated service delivery model again. I just heard the Minister indicate he would be looking at doing the briefing tomorrow. I look forward to that. There are so many questions I have and it seems like this is a holistic approach to this whole issue of alcohol and drugs and mental health. However, right now, the system we have in place, especially in the communities I am familiar with, are delivered through a contract with the aboriginal organizations, mostly the band councils. I am just wondering what will happen in the cases where there is contracts with the band councils? Up to now, many of my colleagues, including myself, have raised the issue that alcohol and drug workers were underpaid and a lot of times were long-term employees that really had not seen any increase in their salaries for, in some cases, many years. The argument that was put forward by the Department of Health and Social Services was they couldn't do anything because the contract was with the band councils and it was up to the band councils to increase their wages as they saw fit. I wonder how this is going to work. Is this department looking at pulling the contracts from the band councils? How are we dealing with this? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Michael McLeod on Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004
In the Legislative Assembly on February 18th, 2003. See this statement in context.
general Comments
Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 17th, 2003
Page 147
See context to find out what was said next.