This is page numbers 659 - 708 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was community.

Topics

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. This program rolling out is very new. I think we launched November of last year. We haven't been functioning for a year, yet. Going forward, I will be doing an assessment to see how our program is rolling out. Right now, we have I want to say seven staff and a relief. We have seven staff and a relief working at this call centre. As we go forward, we will be evaluating this program. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you. Mahsi cho, Madam Chair. One last question: are those staff, the ones you've just mentioned, are they reflected on page 335 at all? Mahsi cho.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, they are reflected on the page. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. We will move on to the Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I appreciate all the questions leading and opening up the subject of 911 from my colleague. You mentioned just now that you have seven staff working with the 911 program. Is seven staff considered fully staffed? Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. Presently, that is considered fully staffed. I said we will be reviewing the program probably within the year, so we would be able to see the program functioning and coming out. There could be a possible request for changes and more staff. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Right now we sometimes have a lot of people off sick, especially when flu season hits, when staff is short, where do the calls get routed to? Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. When we are receiving these responses and we require more staff, we have the med staff who are available, as well. I just want to really elaborate that we ended up hiring the one relief so it would alleviate and try to take care of the amount of hours and stress because I was very mindful of it when I went in. This could almost be a 24-hour position because they do get calls in. The centre is quite busy, so I'm very mindful of it just looking at the program delivery going forward. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just to confirm, calls are only answered in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that's correct.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. What percent of emergency calls received in the Northwest Territories are going to 911? Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't have those numbers in front of me right now. I'd have to get back to the Member. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much. I would appreciate that, and I think that would go to the government operations committee, if possible. Thank you. My next question is: I'm wondering if the Minister could identify the significant growing pains they have experienced with 911 and how the department is addressing them. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.