Glen Abernethy

Thank you. We don’t have a specific budget for creating or utilizing or creating opportunities around technology. We would have to look within our budget and see what categories might be useable or might be possible to use for that particular project and we will do that. We will look at the budgets that we have. We have a very, very small budget for Aboriginal languages. There’s a lot more money for French languages in here as a result of the recent court case. But it’s a good idea. We will certainly look within our budget and see what categories would allow us to do this work.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Once again, a new format that we’re looking at here today and there are things in a few different places. It is going to take us all a little bit of time to become familiar with this and we will re-offer that briefing.

The federal dollars the deputy minister is talking about appears on page 220 under work performed on behalf of others. It’s the second from the bottom, home and community care, $5.5 million.

We’ve talked a lot about mental health and addictions services here in the Northwest Territories and we do provide a continuum of care. There are a number of programs and services that are available to all of our residents whether they’re homeless or they’re not homeless. We’re always looking for ways to expand and enhance our programs so that it’s more effective. It’s forums like this where we’re hearing from the Members and we’re getting good ideas, so we appreciate that. But those programs and services are available to all residents whether they have a house or not.

Just for clarity, I can...

The Day Shelter has only been open for a couple months at this point and there are number of things happening there, including some significant renovations in the building. We have talked to the provider who has indicated that they’re hoping to provide some additional programs and services as well as links to the programs and services that exist. There is space in that building for health practitioners to go to the building and meet with people, as well as Housing staff to go and meet with people, as well as individuals from Justice or income support to go and meet with the people who are...

We did bring that up to the Beaufort-Delta board and the public administrator and the staff at the Beaufort-Delta. They indicated that they actually felt they had an adequate supply of BiliBlankets and other tools they can use for individuals. But since that time, they’ve also put in this award-winning obstetrical program called MORE OB, which is changing the way they’re delivering some of the services in the Beaufort-Delta. It’s an amazing program. As a result of those changes, there didn’t seem to be a desire for them. They weren’t that interested in bringing in an additional BiliBlanket...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the bill is coming forward in the next week or two for first reading and second reading, at which point it will be committee’s bill for 120 days. At this point in time, based on the changes that are coming, we don’t believe that there will be additional costs. We believe it’s a matter of using our money more appropriately and using the existing resources to the best effect, and the changes in the bill will actually give us better direction and better results without adding additional dollars.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are no quick fixes for the NWT Mental Health Act. It is a significant act with many parts and components. We have actually considered whether short-term amendments would be appropriate. Even those amendments would take a bit of time. The type of amendment the Member is talking about is not a small amendment. It would be a significant amendment and a significant part of the new act. It’s not a year away. We’re anticipating having the legislation done in the spring. Unfortunately, we don’t believe it will be ready for the May/June session, at which point I do intend...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Department of Health and Social Services does recognize the importance of language and culture in all aspects of daily lives throughout the Northwest Territories. In many of the small communities, it is indeed a struggle to recruit and retain health care providers in any language. We do strive to offer services in all official languages here in the Northwest Territories.

However, because of capacity issues, this is obviously sometimes quite difficult. We have a multi-lingual website which offers a range of information in all official languages here in the Northwest...

We have a pretty solid relationship with the NWT Disabilities Council. We do provide them with a significant amount of money. Not all organizations get forced growth, like non-government organizations get forced growth, and I don’t believe at this point in time the NWT Council is one of the ones that’s getting forced growth. It isn’t. We have been talking to the council about updating the action plan. It’s pretty old and it really needs to be updated, and they certainly have an interest in doing that. They have been a little busy with a number of the different projects that they have...

There is no plan in the budget that is before the committee today to increase the number of community counsellors in the communities. There are wait times. I will acknowledge that there are wait times throughout the Northwest Territories, but I think it’s important to note that these are mostly wait times for non-urgent clients. Clients with urgent needs are seen within 24 hours. Urgent issues, issues of extreme risk or importance can be dealt with immediately, within 24 hours.