Rylund Johnson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee's report was read into the record yesterday. I don't have any substantive comments at this time but I would just like to thank the work of the Office of the Auditor General, the department for their work plan, and all of committee members. Thank you.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. As is stated in the report, this is one of the TRC Calls to Actions, and we use the wording wellness or healing centre very specifically to not say treatment centre. There are a number of things going on in the territory that work well to this motion. I know the Gwich’in have set up a wellness camp. We are hoping that is a great success, and we would like to see similar things. I know the department is working to set up more aftercare. I believe aftercare services can certainly fit into what we are asking for in a healing centre. I know there has been repeated...

Madam Speaker, this Bill makes several amendments to the Ombud Act in order to

Expand the list of authorities that fall within the mandate of the Ombud;

Clarify the mandate of the Ombud;

Allow the Ombud to investigate complaints dating back to April 1st, 1999; and,

Provide additional notice requirements, including to Indigenous governments.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services collect and analyze data from residents who do not use GNWT addictions prevention and recovery services, to identify creative ways to remove barriers and make services more culturally safe and provide a timeline for implementation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Madam Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Plain Language Summary for Bill 61, An Act to Amend the Ombud Act. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends the Department of Health and Social Services and health and social services authorities set up a distinct method for frontline staff to identify barriers to care and cultural safety or propose better practices and policies on an ongoing basis and provide a timeline for implementation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question for the Minister of Justice is will the Minister be getting rid of the time change once and for all? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services and health and social services authorities, in collaboration with the Department of Finance, prioritize their commitment to revise hiring practices for addictions positions to recognize the value of Indigenous qualifications. Committee further recommends the timeline for this work be moved up by six months, to 20232024. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to just point to the wording of "non-users" in here. I think the department and the work plan has made some good commitment to, you know, survey and work with users of our addiction services, follow up with them, try and get some sort of tracking on how our services are working. It's a much harder ask to track people who are not using your system, but I think there is a wealth of information and lessons to be learned from people who, you know, perhaps tried ten years ago once to approach the GNWT for addictions services and have never felt safe going back...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services, in collaboration with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, add an eighth priority area to the addictions, prevention, and recovery work plan focusing on people aged 29 and under. This priority area should include clear commitments and performance measures to increase access and uptake in counselling and healing supports and increase youth participation in sports and recreation, including measures to improve access to facilities and programming. Thank you, Mr. Chair.