Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS all workers in the Northwest Territories deserve a safe workplace that is free from the threat of physical assault;

AND WHEREAS non-violent crisis intervention is not adequate or appropriate protection of staff and patients in the face of violent physical attack;

AND WHEREAS contracted security personnel

and other staff at Stanton Territorial Hospital and territorial health care facilities are not trained to protect employees, patients, themselves or others from violent people;

AND WHEREAS staff at territorial health care facilities are currently at high risk of physical and mental harm, with recent violent incidents at Stanton Territorial Hospital causing injury, including post-traumatic stress disorder, to three health care workers, and property damage;

AND WHEREAS RCMP response times have not always been prompt enough to intervene during a violent episode;

AND WHEREAS the Union of Northern Workers has expressed grave concerns about the lack of protection afforded to its members at Stanton Territorial Hospital, and the anxiety members subsequently experience;

AND WHEREAS a recommendation from the 2011 inquiry into the Leishman case called on the Department of Health and Social Services to consider hiring trained in-house special constables with legislated powers to restrain and assist in direct patient care;

AND WHEREAS security personnel at Stanton Territorial Hospital should be full-fledged government employees to ensure long-term job security and retention of experienced, well-trained employees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that the Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services clarify procedures for Stanton Territorial Hospital employees to follow when violent incidents occur, including procedures expressly for the use of physical restraint in these cases;

AND FURTHER, that the Department of Health and Social Services direct Stanton Territorial Hospital management to hire security personnel with recognized training in non-violent crisis intervention and physical-restraint techniques;

AND FURTHER, that security personnel at territorial health care facilities be hired as full-fledged employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories, guaranteeing continuity of service and benefits resulting from accumulated experience, institutional memory and professional training;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Department of Health and Social Services review its policies and procedures pertaining to security at territorial health care facilities and report back to the House within 120 days. Mahsi.