Thank you, Madam Chair. I look forward to having the Minister answer questions that he has stated in his statement.
Introduction
Madam Chair, the Standing Committee on Social Programs met with the Minister and his officials on January 14, 2005, to discuss the draft main estimates for the department of Health and Social Services. Committee members made note that the department is proposing to spend $250.649 million in operations expense and $6.875 million on capital projects in fiscal year 2005-06.
Committee members offer the following comments on issues arising out of the review of the 2005-2006 Draft Main Estimates.
Preface
It is important for the public to note that the new federal funding for health care announced in the fall of 2004 is not included in 2005-2006 Draft Main Estimates, and as such the committee did not have opportunity to comment on the final disposition of the funds. This is a one-time anomaly that clouded our discussion with the Minister and his officials.
The department has a handle on how much money is expected to flow from these new funding arrangements. What is not clear are the conditions the federal government will place on the usage of the new funding. Until such time as the allowed usages for the funding can be established, the department is unable to include in the main estimates funding to restore programming or pay for new initiatives.
Committee noted that some reductions, proposed delays of program implementation and facility closures that were discussed during the business plan would not be taking place.
The areas where the committee would like the department to target new or increased spending are discussed within the rest of our report.
Mental Health And Addictions Strategy
The committee was pleased the department was able secure funding to roll out the last year of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. In this time of restraint, the government was able to see the need to hire the nine mental health workers and three clinical supervisors.
Committee is still concerned that the department will have difficulty in recruiting for these positions given the requirement to have either a bachelor or master's degree in social work. Alcohol abuse remains the most important issue facing many of our communities and strategies that cannot put mental health/addiction workers in the communities are of no use to them.
The abuse of drugs is becoming more and more prevalent, as increases in disposable incomes have led many northerners to make poor life choices. This is readily apparent in Yellowknife's downtown core but is also becoming a problem in smaller communities. More resources will have to be directed towards drug addictions.
The concern that there are not enough treatment facilities to meet the needs of northerners in dealing with their addictions remains. Any reprofiling of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy by using the new federal money should address the issue of facilities, in addition to staffing concerns.
Gambling is a problem for many northerners and does not seem to be adequately addressed or, at the very least, given a meaningful profile within the context of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. Beating an addiction like alcohol dependency is a laudable feat. Replacing an alcohol addiction with a gambling addiction does not put a person any further ahead.
Members will look for evidence of increased programming for gambling addicts in future business plans.
Madam Chair, I would now like to ask the Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden, to continue with the report of the committee. Sorry, Madam Chair; I would like to ask the Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak, to continue with the report.