Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Committee members are convinced that the Department of Health and Social Services, and its authorities, could be doing more to promote the formation of child and family services committees in the communities and that a more coordinated approach should be undertaken.
In reviewing material provided by the Minister, there appeared to be a push in 2003 to establish child and family services committees, with three communities expressing interest. Of those three communities, only the community of Fort McPherson went past the initial presentation and consultation and formed a child and family services committee in conjunction with the Tl'oondih Healing Society.
Since that time, there have been expressions of interest in the northern part of territory, and information has been supplied to the community of Paulatuk and to the Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority.
Mr. Speaker, Members also wondered if, because the responsibility for administering the Child and Family Services Act is with the regional health and social services authorities, there might be some reluctance on their part to promote a process that may end up contributing to the overall debt that many of our health authorities face.
Regardless of any speculation on the part of committee as to the reasons there has been no uptake at the community level for forming child and family services committees, it is important to note that, as the Minister outlined in briefing notes provided to committee, the ability of communities to participate directly in decision-making regarding the protection of children is unique to the Northwest Territories. As far as the department knows, no other jurisdiction in the world allows community input in child protection matters.
The tools exist in legislation and regulation. It is clear to the committee that there is a need for the department and the authorities to allocate resources to develop and foster community empowerment through the development of child and family services committees.
Recommendation
The committee recommends the Minister direct the department and authorities to continue with ongoing activities and to design an adequately resourced plan to develop child and family services committees in the communities and that this plan be presented to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as part of the 2009-2010 business plan review.
At this time, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to turn it over to my honourable colleague Mr. Robert McLeod. Thank you.