Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank my colleague for letting me talk.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has also identified growing demand for home and community care staff, as well as training gaps for home support workers and resident care aides. While training of NWT residents for jobs in health care was not part of the Auditor General’s review, it is a key element in the stability and quality of a workforce that will of necessity include many southern hires. The committee was pleased with the input received from DHSS on this topic.

Successful training of northern health workers requires solid collaboration between DHSS, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), and Aurora College. Training and educational opportunities delivered by ECE and Aurora College must be flexible enough to meet the needs of the health system, and produce graduates who meet accepted standards. The committee strongly supports the development of homegrown health care workers who have the added advantage of knowing local people, traditions and communities. In this area, Department of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment and Aurora College should build a strong cooperative relationship that will advance the goals set out in “A Foundation for Change”.

Measuring and Reporting on Performance

Only limited information is reported to the Legislative Assembly and the public on the performance of the NWT health care system. The Auditor General found the lack of system-wide performance indicators at the root of this problem.

There is still no agreement between the Department of Health and Social Services and health authorities on a set of performance indicators, yet these indicators are essential, along

with a risk management framework, to system-wide evaluation.

Department of Health and Social Services has not published a territorial Health Status Report since 2005, although a new one is in the works. Overall, there is no clear picture of how the health system is performing. Measurement and reporting must be improved. Given these facts, the committee emphasizes that Department of Health and Social Services must remedy this by 2012-13, as agreed in paragraph 81 of the Auditor General’s report.

Recommendation 5

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services and the health authorities:

•

develop a set of system-wide performance indicators and identify key data requirements;

•

develop a program evaluation plan setting out areas it plans to evaluate; and

•

regularly inform the Legislative Assembly and the public about the performance of the NWT health care system.

I’d like to pass the conclusion of this report on to my colleague Mr. Menicoche. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Conclusion

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee recognizes that the Department of Health and Social Services staff have faced tremendous challenges during the first years of the 16th Assembly. It is no small feat to overhaul the

health system, incorporate new technology, and directly oversee three of the eight health authorities while supporting quality, day-to-day care under considerable fiscal pressure. Committee members heartily congratulate Department of Health and Social Services’ and the authorities’ staff for these achievements.

However, the Auditor General’s review confirms there is still much work to be done. Committee members are confident that the Department of Health and Social Services, the health authorities, and the Department of Human Resources are up to the task, and will diligently implement the Auditor General’s recommendations. The committee is also confident that the Standing Committee on Social Programs will assist in supporting that work.

Recommendation 6

In light of the time remaining to the 16th Legislative Assembly, the Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories

provide a comprehensive response to this report within 90 days.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Committee Report 2-16(6) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question is being called.

---Carried

Committee Report 2-16(6) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Speaker your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2009-2010 Human Rights Commission Annual Report and comments it to the House.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has completed its review of the 2009-2010 Human Rights Commission Annual Report. This report covers the Human Rights Commission’s sixth year. The committee would like to thank Ms. Mary Pat Short, chair of the Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Thérèse Boullard, director of human rights, for their appearance before the committee.

2009-2010 Annual Report

In 2009-2010, the NWT Human Rights Commission had a national presence as Ms. Short held the position of president, and Ms. Boullard, treasurer, of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA). The committee congratulates both of these women on their leadership of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies.

Rita Mueller from Behchoko, Yacub Adam from Yellowknife, and Tammy Rogers from Inuvik were the members of the Board of the Human Rights Commission. The members and chair deserve

recognition for their contribution to human rights in the Northwest Territories.

The annual report provides an overview of the NWT Human Rights Commission’s activities. Over the year, commission staff responded to 280 inquiries and 26 new complaints. Two complaints were forwarded to the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel for hearing.

The commission provided information sessions and workshops to GNWT Human Resource staff, hamlet staff, secondary school students, and students at Aurora College learning centres. The commission visited Fort Smith, Fort Providence, Hay River, Deline, Tulita, Ulukhaktok, Dettah, and Yellowknife.

The commission also distributed a human rights handbook to all teachers for use in offering related educational activities in their classrooms. The committee recognizes the effort and accomplishments of the commission and how staff follows through with plans.

In partnership with the Yukon Human Rights Commission, the NWT Human Rights Commission published “Know Your Rights,” a well-presented, plain language document that explains on what grounds a person is protected from discrimination in the NWT and the Yukon.

When the committee reviewed “Know Your Rights,” it observed that the Yukon prohibits discrimination based on “unrelated” criminal convictions or criminal records, while the NWT does not. The committee asked Ms. Short to speak to its possible value in the NWT Human Rights Act. Ms. Short advised that its inclusion was recommended in the commission’s 2004-2005 report. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight brought the recommendation forward to government in its Report on the Review of the 2004-2005 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission. At its meeting on December 3, 2010, the Standing Committee on Government Operations expressed interest in a review of this matter to ensure NWT residents receive proper protection from discrimination and because it may be in the best interest of people in the NWT to allow more people to have access to work that is presently unavailable to them.

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Justice review and assess the advisability of prohibiting discrimination based on “unrelated” criminal convictions or a criminal record.

Conclusion

The committee commends the commission’s work and achievements to date and looks forward to continued progress in informing NWT residents of

their rights and responsibilities so that justice and fairness is strengthened.

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provides a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Committee Report 3-16(6) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question is being called.

---Carried

Committee Report 3-16(6) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If I can get the Assembly’s attention one more time on a report.

Your committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the Office of the Northwest Territories Languages Commissioner Annual Report 2009-2010 and commends it to the House.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Government Operations (SCOGO) met on March 3, 2011, to review “The Office of the Northwest Territories Languages Commissioner Annual Report 2009-2010.” The committee would like to thank the Languages Commissioner, Ms. Sarah Jerome, for presenting her report.

Commentary

The Office of the Languages Commissioner is accessible through its website, a toll-free phone line and an office in Inuvik. It is promoted through radio advertisements in all official languages, and by Ms. Jerome, in her frequent attendance at public

functions, and when she is interviewed by the media.

The committee notes that promotion of languages is not in the Official Languages Commissioner’s purview. However, it is Ms. Jerome’s role to promote the office of the Languages Commissioner, the rights, status and privileges of official language speakers pursuant to the Official Languages Act, and her availability to answer questions or investigate complaints.

The committee is also pleased with the approach taken by Ms. Jerome. As part of her regular practice, she attends summer assemblies and regional council meetings throughout the Northwest Territories. In 2009-2010 the Commissioner made more than a dozen presentations on official languages at these assemblies and other meetings and conferences. Ms. Jerome’s presence and her sincere interest help to support community members involved in promotion, revitalization and enhancement of first languages.

When she is attending meetings, conferences and school functions, Ms. Jerome responds to many inquiries. She also investigates complaints. The committee respects and values Ms. Jerome’s observations and good judgment. Ms.

Jerome,

subject to Article 20(2) of the Official Languages Act, may investigate any matter, not just complaints, on her own initiative. If Ms. Jerome deems an issue worthy of study, Members will welcome reading her findings and recommendations in future annual reports.

Conclusion

The Standing Committee on Government Operations would like to thank Ms. Jerome for her activities promoting the role of the Languages Commissioner. Her many community visits to make presentations and to listen to peoples’ concerns give her a valuable perspective on language issues.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Committee Report 4-16(6) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question is being called.

---Carried

Committee Report 4-16(6) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, acknowledgements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are following up on my Member’s statement yesterday on the report from the Coalition Against Family Violence. They are for the Minister of Health and Social Services and Deputy Premier. Recent statistics, sadly, show that family violence continues to get worse. Two hundred and thirty-eight women and children came forward to violence shelters for the first time in 2010-11; that’s new incidents. NWT women seek escape from violence and shelter at five times the national rate. Ninety-two percent of 27,000 people responding to the 2007 survey said more shelters are critically needed and, of course, phase 3 recommendations call for special initiative funds for family violence shelters outside of Yellowknife, to top up their funding so they can pay better wages, add hours, and meet O and M costs. Will the Minister start now to identify funds to meet this need? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is committed to all the obligations that are there for phase 2. To date, through the life of phase 2 we will have committed nearly $4 million. This is an ongoing issue and as we move forward from phase 2 to phase 3, that work will go through the business planning process, and in this instance, while preparatory work will be

done, it will be a decision in the life of the 17th Assembly on how we will proceed further. Thank you.

I appreciate the commitment from the Minister. The 238 women and children last year, Mr. Speaker, the major coalition partners like the YWCA Yellowknife, the Centre for Northern Families, Inuvik, Hay River and Tuk shelters, NWT Seniors, Salvation Army and a host of others are our long-established and indispensible leaders and service providers in this area. So why is core funding for multi-year funding agreements for these groups even an issue? These partners are in for the long haul and shouldn’t be made to flounder between annual funding agreements.

So I ask: will the Minister commit to partnering respectfully with these enduring organizations and move to multi-year agreements with core funding as a standard model? Mahsi.