Glen Abernethy

Mr. Speaker, there's very strict criteria that are utilized that would determine whether a department will submit a direct appointment. We can share those criteria with the committee and let them know why we would be supporting or utilizing the direct appointment process, as some of them are for things like interns or where there's been an unsuccessful competition many different times, or when we know that a competition will likely prove unsuccessful. I will share those criteria. As far as the numbers, Mr. Speaker, I do know that there have been a couple direct appointments during the life of...

Mr. Speaker, we intend to have an action plan moving forward to outline how we're going to address the need over the next 10 years early in the life of this government, hopefully within this fiscal year, barring any unforeseen circumstances. In the meantime, we're also going to be taking some short-term, medium-term and long-term actions to start addressing these issues. We do know that one of the largest needs is actually here in Yellowknife. There's very little capacity, we're very stretched in Yellowknife. We also know there's significant need in the Beaufort Delta. We have people actually...

Mr. Speaker, the Member's exactly right. I mean, this building doesn't address our future need; it simply keeps us at status quo in Hay River. We do know from the long-term care review that by 2026 we need 30 more beds on top of the ones we already have and will have with this new building in the community with respect to long-term care. More needs to be done; we're currently doing our review, our report, coming up with an action plan, how we can facilitate beds across the Northwest Territories by 2026.As it currently stands, there isn't significant room on the current Woodland Manor site...

Mr. Speaker, I do believe the community and the department already work together through the Aboriginal health and community wellness division on their wellness plan. We do have a significant amount of people working on the Cancer Strategy. What I will do, Mr. Speaker, is I will ask the Member through you to maybe work with the community to get in touch with us and have a conversation. I couldn't tell you the timeline because we have never been contacted to this degree in this nature. I think there is an opportunity here. I would say let's work together. If the Member can put us in touch, we...

Mr. Speaker, the evidence shows that one of the best ways to combat cancer is to prevent cancer, which is why we are focusing on healthy eating initiatives and encouraging people to get their exercise. We are doing this in partnership with a number of different groups. There is fantastic work being done by sports and recreation, Sport North, the Department of MACA, to encourage people to be active. ITI is doing a number of fantastic things with respect to supporting agriculture as an economy, but also supporting small local gardens. We have had a number of individuals apply for money through...

Mr. Speaker, as I already indicated there is a four-plex in the community for independent living for seniors in the community already which is supplied by the NWT Housing Corporation. When the Member made his statement, I had an opportunity to check with the Minister of Housing to see if there are any plans to put an independent living unit in the community or any additional independent living units. The Housing Corp is doing a needs survey across the Northwest Territories to determine where some of that need exists, at which point, I am certain they will get feedback from Ulukhaktok to help...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the health and social services staff in the community health centre provide elders in Ulukhaktok with support and nursing services in accordance to their needs. There is one home support worker in the community, as well as a community health nurse dedicated to providing some home-care services. The authority has a temporary, community social services worker who will be transitioning into the community next week, which I think is fantastic news. The health staff are supported by teams of professionals in the Beaufort Delta as well. The seniors can get...

Mr. Speaker, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action highlighted the fact that there is a gap between the health status of Aboriginal people and the rest of Canadians. The recommendations call for all governments delivering health and social services to ensure that services are culturally appropriate and that service providers are culturally competent. The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to achieving that goal, and although we still have a lot of work to do we have made substantial progress led by the wise counsel and advice of a group of respected...

Mr. Speaker, I won't talk about my personal opinion here, but I can state that we actually do have that program available to us already for non-statutory jobs. We can actually go out and advertise on a geographically limited area for specific positions. By way of example, if we had a non-statutory position in Fort Res, we could actually run a competition within 35 kilometres of the community and limit it to just that zone, so that is a tool that is actually currently available to us. Some departments have used it. It is available to all departments, where appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services funds for the O and M component of the facilities, the Housing Corp. has indicated that they want to work with the shelters, so they're looking for the shelters combined to set some priorities. I'm not sure we would be in a position where we can fund the development of the construction of a complete facility, but we want to be partners on this and it may mean helping identify appropriate locations. I don't know, but first thing we need to do is have the different shelters help identify the priorities. Hay River is participating in that...