Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for over a decade Canadians have acknowledged the growing shortage of speech-language pathologists, especially in school settings. These services are critical for all children to access education equitably. The deficit is due, in part, to the limited number of openings in graduate programs and the increased need for speech-language pathologists as their scope of practice widens, rates of neuro-divergent children grows, and classrooms play catchup in a post-pandemic world. Also, we have an aging population.
This national shortage impacts education outcomes in the NWT and was recognized as an NWT-specific concern by the 2020 Office of the Auditor General's report on education.
The audit concluded that in the decade since its previous education audit that Education, Culture and Employment had "improved its support for delivering inclusive schooling but more work was required" and that the department did not provide "adequate guidance and training for support assistants", and adding, "the needs of all students were not being met."
Mr. Speaker, low staffing levels have continued to force Health and Social Services to reorganize its service delivery of speech-language services. But we aren't the only jurisdiction experiencing high demand and low staffing for speech-language services. Our sister territory Nunavut experienced the same and has creatively addressed this through a partnership with Ongomiizwin Health Services through the University of Manitoba. Through this partnership, they provide occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and physiotherapy to all students in Nunavut. Referrals are sent directly from the schools to the Department of education, which then works with the Ongomiizwin coordinator. Schools receive one to two in-person therapist visits throughout the school year. And between visits, therapists provide virtual support via video conferencing with the students or ongoing support through constant email contact between teachers and therapists.
In the NWT, last year's wait times to access speech services ranged from two months in Fort Smith to half a year or more in Yellowknife. Six months is more than half of a school year. This is far too long for students to wait for services critical to equitable access to education.
Our children cannot wait for a decade-long shortage to right itself. This government needs to look at creative solutions like community-based paraprofessionals, funded teletherapies, and partnerships that work for teachers in the child's best interests. Without these innovative solutions, the needs of NWT students will continue to go unmet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.