Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Historical Information Kelvin Ng is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly March 1999, as MLA for Kitikmeot

Won his last election, in 1995, with 71% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 210-13(6): Treatment Of Youth Addictions November 11th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, they will have an opportunity to see the results of what is being planned and have an opportunity to have some input into that process by suggesting any changes, or confirming if we are heading in the right direction, in respect to those youth treatment services. Thank you.

Question 210-13(6): Treatment Of Youth Addictions November 11th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can commit that certainly the results of our plan would be distributed to treatment centres that are interested so they could have an opportunity to have some input into the development of this policy, prior to it being finalized. Thank you.

Question 210-13(6): Treatment Of Youth Addictions November 11th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have all the names of all the individuals or groups involved in the review of the youth services treatment. I will commit to getting that information and advising all Members. Thank you.

Return To Oral Question 145-13(6): Agency Nurses Employment Status November 11th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return

to an oral question asked by Mr. Henry on November 4, 1998, in respect to agency nurses employment status.

On November 4, 1998 the Member asked the question regarding the employment arrangement for agency nurses.

Agency nurses are used across the Northwest Territories, generally to provide temporary relief services. They are not employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

When agency nurses are required, the board contacts an agency, which in turn supplies the required number of nurses. The board then signs a contract with the agency. It is the agency which is paid for the service. The nurse remains an employee of the agency at all times. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 71-13(6): NWT Association Of Social Workers November 11th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform Members that the Northwest Territories once again has an active association of social workers. In January of this year, a group of social workers, with support from the Department of Health and Social Services, met and developed an action plan to reactivate their association. The association is now in operation with a membership of 90 northern professionals including social workers from the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the association held its first meeting in Inuvik from September 22 to 24. The national president of the Canadian Association of Social Workers, Mr. John Mould, was able to attend these meetings to share his knowledge and experience with northern members. Board elections were held during the Inuvik meetings, and Ms. Nuelle Novik was elected president.

The association will be a strong voice and an advocate for social services professionals. It will embark on an educational campaign to inform the public and their colleagues about social work and the role social workers play in our communities. The association has identified three major initiatives that will be explored over the next year. These initiatives involve:

- Creating a joint territorial association, including the NWT, Yukon and Nunavut;

- Establishing membership in the Canadian Association of Social Workers; and

- Investigating the processes required to establish regulation and licensing of social workers in the north.

--Applause

Minister's Statement 69-13(6): Child And Family Services Legislation November 11th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Health and Social Services Child and Family Services Act and the Adoption Act were proclaimed on October 30 and November 1, 1998, respectively. The new Child and Family Services Act promotes a focus on prevention rather than intervention. It provides the opportunity for families to voluntarily receive help before a child protection concern arises. It takes into consideration aboriginal cultures and ensures that the best interests of the child always come first.

Mr. Speaker, the Child and Family Services Act provides an alternative to the court process through the use of what the legislation calls "Plan of Care Committees". These committees can be created for each family in need and can include family and community members. The new act encourages people and communities to become more responsible for their children and introduces the opportunity for communities to establish a child and family services committee. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has devoted significant resources in preparing for the proclamation of the new act. Over 100 supervisors and child welfare workers have received statutory training. In addition to the statutory training, other training sessions, workshops and presentation packages have been developed to provide information and resources to various other groups that do not require statutory training, but need some background on the new act.

Mr. Speaker, there has been wide distribution of information about the Child and Family Services Act to regional health boards, directors of social programs, RCMP, aboriginal organizations, hamlets, band offices and libraries. A child and family services standards and procedures manual based on the new act has been distributed to child protection workers.

Mr. Speaker, the Adoption Act also promotes consideration of the best interests of the child and the child's cultural heritage when making decisions. The Adoption Act introduces a shift towards open adoptions. When a child reaches the age of majority (19 years), the child, the birth parents and other significant people in the child's life can request full access to the adoption records. This act legislates the establishment of an adoption registry which will collect personal information about the adopted child when possible. Adopted children will be able to access information about their family history, including medical, social, cultural and other information. Measures have been taken to ensure that information in the adoption registry will be secure.

The first training session for adoption workers will take place in Yellowknife, November 17-18, 1998. I am confident that the Child and Family Services Act and the Adoption Act will have a positive impact on the health and safety of children in the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank my colleagues in this House for their support and input in the development of this important legislation. I would also like to express my appreciation to the front line social workers and board staff who will be responsible for implementing the new act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Question 199-13(6): Advertising For Rfp For Inuvik Regional Hospital November 9th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would say that for $28.5 million, it would be a lot to spend for a health centre. I will make sure that we clarify that for the honourable Member. Thank you.

Question 199-13(6): Advertising For Rfp For Inuvik Regional Hospital November 9th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have no problems in trying to clarify that, if indeed, it was our government that put out the naming of the project as a health centre versus a hospital in error. I cannot speak on the advertisements in the NWT Construction Association newsletter which announces those things because that is under Mr. Bushey, I believe. Thank you.

Question 199-13(6): Advertising For Rfp For Inuvik Regional Hospital November 9th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I understand, because this is one of the P3 projects that is under the auspices of P3, one of those ones, that it is under the auspices of the Financial Management Board Secretariat taking the lead on the coordination of all those P3 projects. You can blame them for that. Thank you.

Question 199-13(6): Advertising For Rfp For Inuvik Regional Hospital November 9th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has always been the intent of the department and myself that this is a replacement project for the Inuvik Regional Hospital and it will continue to be that case. Thank you.