Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Federal Fiduciary Responsibility for Indian and Inuit Health Care Costs
It is noticed that the federal government has capped forced growth for health care for Indians and Inuit at 2 per cent per annum. With increases to health care costs averaging 6 to 7 per cent annually, the amount the territorial government is responsible for is increasing at an alarming rate.
Information provided by the Minister of Health and Social Services estimates the amount in dispute is approaching $95 million. This money could be used to enhance existing health care services or to develop new programs or infrastructure.
It is obvious to members that it would be reprehensible as a government to restrict the services available to eligible Indians and Inuit to correlate to the available funding from the federal government. The Minister and the Premier are encouraged to work with their territorial and provincial counterparts to lobby the federal government to live up to their fiduciary and treaty obligations to provide health care to aboriginal Canadians and to develop a long-term funding solution that recognizes the increased costs in delivering health care.
Support for Non-Government Organizations
Non-government organizations deliver many programs and services on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Services and their authorities. Subsequent to our discussions with the Minister, she provided committee with a list of NGOs that have entered into multi-year funding agreements with the Department of Health and Social Services. It was noted by committee members that these multi-year agreements are for organizations that are territorial in nature, have an advocacy role and require core funding to fulfill their obligations to identified classes of people, such as seniors or disabled.
Committee members are more concerned with NGOs that enter into a funding agreement with Health and Social Services authorities to provide programs and services to community residents. Members have heard that these NGOs are facing difficulty in retaining qualified staff because of uncertainty over year-to-year funding, and that too many of their resources are being utilized in preparing yearly reports and funding proposals to justify or request program spending or funding.
It is felt by committee members that where practical, three-year funding agreements would provide enough certainty to NGOs for them to recruit and retain qualified program-delivery staff and reduce the administration burden on the NGOs. Health and Social Services authorities need to be more proactive in dealing with the NGOs that deliver programming and services on their behalf to the residents of the Northwest Territories. The administrative burden placed on NGOs to report on activities and prepare annual funding proposals can be unrealistic and detract from the NGOs’ ability to actually deliver the services for which they have been contracted.
Committee members are aware that work is underway by the Cabinet committee to examine
ways to support NGOs while ensuring that the government gets value for money. As well, the examination on the future role and need for a regional Health and Social Services authority may provide an opportunity for improving relationships with NGOs. The committee looks forward to measurable progress during the life of the 16th Assembly.
Mr. Chair, I would like to now turn it back over to my colleague Wendy Bisaro.