Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to my Member's statement on the absence of an alcohol and drug worker in the community of Fort Liard. I would just like to ask the Minister what the transition plan was and why there isn't an alcohol and drug counsellor there today. Thank you.
Debates of Oct. 28th, 2004
This is page numbers 1041 - 1072 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was going.
Topics
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
October 27th, 2004
Page 1050
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, back on August 18th the Member and myself and some other folks sat down in Fort Liard when we were doing a tour of the Nahendeh. We met with the chief and we talked about the concern about the alcohol and drug worker in the community which has been converted into a community wellness worker and a mental health and addictions counsellor that was being hired. Those are two separate positions. It was agreed at that time that there would be a staffing process initiated for the mental health worker. As well, we would be looking at filling the community wellness worker locally with an individual that was currently working in the community at the health centre who was fluent in Slavey. That process is underway. My understanding was that there was an interview held for the mental health position. The person doing the interview did not pass. That position is being re-advertised. As well, we are still in the process of trying to arrange for a direct appointment for an individual in Fort Liard to take over the duties of the community wellness worker. Thank you.
Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050
Supplementary To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the contention here, Mr. Speaker, is that there was quite a bit of controversy when they cancelled the programming that was run by the band. We had asked to extend it as long as possible and they did, but they assured us of a smooth transfer, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister again how soon will the community of Fort Liard be getting an alcohol counsellor? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050
Further Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker it is unfortunate that there are no current services but, as I indicated, the process is already underway to re-advertise for the mental health position. I will commit to the Member to get more specific detail of the direct appointment of one of the local staff who is currently working at the health centre in terms of having her moved into the community wellness worker's position. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050
Supplementary To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1050

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell myself and the community what provisions are in place today to address those that may need assistance or may need help with their counselling needs today? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051
Further Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there will be contingency backup arrangements made out of Fort Simpson to fill in the service gaps on a temporary basis until we can rectify and staff these two positions. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051
Supplementary To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
I would like to thank the Minister for his answers, Mr. Speaker. That's an immediate concern. As well, he did bring up the mental health position. Perhaps I can ask the Minister when that will be filled, as well. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051
Further Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there were interviews held just recently, and the person being interviewed didn't pass the interview. So they are re-advertising that as we speak. So hopefully in the next few weeks we'll get some successful applicants interviewed and staffed. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Question 329-15(3): Absence Of An Alcohol And Drug Worker In Fort Liard
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Justice and it's in regard to the human resource internal review that's being held. Mr. Speaker, I accept the Minister's statement in the House that this review is going on and that we should wait for the report to pursue further questions, and I am prepared to go with that except that I want to be sure that we will have the information from the review to make decisions or if things need to be done. The reason why I am not so sure if that's going to happen for sure is that I have not had a commitment from the Minister so far. Also, from my understanding, there have been two reviews done in the department in core services, as well as in SMCC in recent years, and none of the findings of those reports have been made available nor have any decisions been made. So I would like to get the commitment from the Minister that with the provisos that there be no personal and private information available, but the major findings of this review will be shared by the Members either in the House or in a committee setting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051
Return To Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Charles Dent Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the report is being done by corporate human resources and I believe that the Minister responsible, Mr. Floyd Roland, has briefed committee and did tell them that they would receive a copy of the information the Member just requested. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051
Supplementary To Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to need some help here, because I don't know if I am supposed to direct my question to the Minister of FMBS or Minister Dent to confirm. I have said in both our meetings with Minister Dent and Minister Roland I don't believe there were firm commitments that this will be shared. So could I get the Minister to commit today that insofar as is possible, without violating anyone's private rights, that he will make the findings of the report available to the Members? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051
Further Return To Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Charles Dent Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I just previously said, that commitment was made by Mr. Roland, but I will make it again. Yes, that information will be shared with Members. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Question 330-15(3): Human Resource Review At North Slave Correctional Centre
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Question 331-15(3): Response To The Action Plan On Family Violence
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 1051

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for Minister Dent. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has produced a response to the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence, and I believe that Minister Dent is responsible for this. It indicates that this response was put together and prepared by the Coalition Against Family Violence and yet today, Mr. Speaker, I hear that representatives of the NWT Status of Women Council are displeased and not supportive of this response. I would like to ask the Minister who were the NGOs or agencies or departments that comprise the Coalition Against Family Violence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.