The program at Aurora College,
even though it’s nursing- and health-related, is really the jurisdiction of the college. I’m sure the Minister responsible will be able to provide additional information in that regard.
I do agree with the Member. My observation has been also that we could do a better job in terms of coordinating the government work in the way we.... The nurses we train at Aurora College should be placed properly and get the support and resources needed to pursue their practice. I think we could do a better job of coordinating that, because I am aware of some of the pressures that Stanton has had in incorporating those nurse grads.
I think we will continue to face the challenge of not only nursing grads but other professionals who want to work in Yellowknife and are not so interested in working outside of Yellowknife. That’s a challenge for us, because that’s where the most needs are. I think Yellowknife is more capable and better positioned to be able to recruit and retain staff from southern jurisdictions — better, anyway, than smaller communities. We need to work toward refining the program, working the program better to enhance the opportunities for these professionals to move into communities.
I have not had a chance to look at that as part of the human resource work at Stanton and system-wide. As we move forward under this fiscal situation where we have to look at systematic changes to better use our human resources, whether they be doctors, nurses or any other health care professionals…. I am really interested in looking at staffing models, service-provision models and recruiting and retaining policies to better meet that. So I don’t have that answer. I understand the Member’s issue, and I look forward to going to the standing committee with that plan.