Glen Abernethy

In order to have an informed discussion, we need to actually understand where we are. We have done some preliminary work to determine where we stand, where the shelters stand, and we have been working with the chair of the shelter network who represents all of the shelters across the Northwest Territories. We have done this by e-mail correspondence, but also in face-to-face meetings.

As part of that work, the department has begun work on a bit of a zero-based budget exercise as our first step to determine the funding requirements, as well as the best and most equitable funding model for family...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Nicole Enge. Nicole just finished her second year of political science at the University of Toronto, and she has been hired for the summer as one of our special project coordinators for the Executive Council offices here in the Legislative Assembly. Welcome.

When I met with the individuals in 2016, I indicated to them clearly that we intend to move forward, we intend to work with them collaboratively, but we need a bit of time. We have just rolled out a single authority in the Northwest Territories, and I indicated at that time we will be in a better position to begin formal discussions in August 2017. I live up to that commitment. We are living up to that commitment. In the interim, we have worked with the chair. We have gathered information to help us present some information when we do meet with them. I do not think the Member is interpreting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I and my colleagues recognize that the current funding structure for the shelters has led to some challenges and some inconsistencies. Last year, I did direct the Department of Health and Social Services to examine and work with the shelters to identify some of these immediate pressures. As a result of this work, we were fortunate to receive $120,000 in new funding to offset the increased operating costs of family violence shelters across the Northwest Territories.

When I met with the shelter network in 2016, I also committed to exploring the potential for a...

The federal government has already indicated that they have already begun flowing some dollars to the Northwest Territories to address housing specifically, some dollars that they have flowed to the IRC. The Minister responsible for Housing is going to a meeting with Minister Duclos, I think next week, where they are going to discuss the exact issues the Member is referring to, housing. With respect to Nutrition North, Mr. Speaker, we have had different individuals from Cabinet talk to their federal counterparts about our perspectives and trying to make a program that works for residents of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have actually constructed, built, and run four treatments in the Northwest Territories over the last 20-plus years. Where we have had capacity for 32-plus clients in these treatment facilities, at any given time, we might have had a dozen individuals in these facilities. Given the nature of these facilities, a real treatment facility has to be able to provide a wide range of programs, including psychiatric and psychological support, as well as dietary programs and other programs. In the Northwest Territories, we were never able to get a psychologist or...

As I have said many times, in the last Assembly, the Minister of Health and Social Services conducted a working group of stakeholders to go around the Northwest Territories and talk to people about what they foresee or what they would like to see with respect to supporting individuals with addictions. What was clear is that facility-based treatment centres is not the only option that we needed to consider. We heard loudly and clearly from residents that they want options, not one program that is going to be appropriate for everybody. One of the key things that was identified was more on-the...

No, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services continues to be committed to improving the health and the lives of Northerners. To achieve this goal, Health and Social Services, along with the Tlicho Government and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, submitted a proposal to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to establish a Strategy for Patient Oriented Research SUPPORT unit in the Northwest Territories. In February 2016, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research approved funding over five years to the Tlicho Government to establish this unit. This funding is made available...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On my right is Lisa Cardinal, the director of planning and evaluation with the Department of Health and Social Services, and on my left, Thomas Druyan, who is legislative counsel.