Mr. Speaker, last week was Disability Awareness Week in the NWT, as well as National AccessAbility Week across the country. It is a time to promote inclusion and accessibility in our communities, and to reflect on what we can all do to make sure that everyone is able to contribute to and be a part of community life. With that, I’d like to provide an update on the Government of the Northwest Territories Disability Action Plan 2018/2019 - 2021/2022, which was tabled in October 2018 and is the final deliverable of the Disability Program Review and Renewal Project. 

Mr. Speaker, one of this government’s top priorities is the safety and well-being of children and youth receiving Child and Family Services. This includes making sure we maintain a child’s connectedness to family, community and culture.

We have learned from our experiences, through internal and external audits, through engagement with Indigenous governments, and through feedback from stakeholders that we need to better manage, resource, structure and sustain changes implemented under the Building Stronger Families Action Plan.

The Minister of Health and Social Services wishes to announce that the Government of Northwest Territories will now cover Mifegymiso for NWT residents with a valid NWT Health Care Card who do not have full coverage for prescriptions under another program or group insurance plan. 

Mr. Speaker, many northerners continue to be held back by mental health and addictions which is why the 18^th Legislative Assembly made it a priority to focus on mental wellness and addictions recovery. Today I would like to update Members on a significant milestone that we have achieved towards making sure that NWT resident who need mental wellness and addictions services can get the help they need locally and through culturally-appropriate methods.

Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services announced this year’s recipients of $400,000 to support health promotion and prevention activities Through the Healthy Choices Fund. Twelve eligible organizations and community governments received funding to help maximize the impact of health promotion and prevention activities that support individuals, families, and communities in making healthy lifestyle choices.

 Some of this year’s successful proposals include:

Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, Glen Abernethy, congratulated recipients of the 2019 NWT Disability Awareness Awards presented as part of the annual Disability Awareness Tea today in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly. Minister Abernethy issued the following statement recognizing this year’s award recipients:

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the World Health Organization’s World No Tobacco Day which is tomorrow, on May 31, 2019.  This day provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking to promote the prevention of tobacco use and its cessation. 

Today, during the “Celebrate Healthy Living” event, the Departments of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs launched the simple and interactive Carrot Rewards mobile app – one of the first mobile apps officially endorsed by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). 

Mr. Speaker, June is Senior Citizens’ Month. As the Minister Responsible for Seniors, I want to encourage all Northerners to join me in recognizing and celebrating the valuable contributions that Seniors and Elders make within our families and communities.

 With a focus on aging in place, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made it a priority to help Seniors and Elders live in their own homes for as long as possible by ensuring that the right kinds of supports are available to them.

The Department of Health and Social Services released the 2018 NWT Community Counselling Program (CCP) Client Satisfaction Questionnaire Report.

The CCP Client Satisfaction Report for 2018 has shown that a majority of clients who responded were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience in accessing services, and that a majority of those who responded were satisfied with the changes in their lives since beginning counselling services.