Mr. Speaker, over the last five years the Government of Northwest Territories has worked in partnership with people and organizations across the NWT to better understand and meaningfully address the root causes of poverty in this territory. This outreach supports our mandate commitment to reduce poverty in the Northwest Territories.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, as a government we have committed to putting the principles of reconciliation in action and to transform the way that we deliver programs and services to be more culturally informed and respectful throughout our mandate. Today I would like to update colleagues and the public on efforts we have been adopting within our health and social services system to put these principles into action to better serve our residents.
The Government of the Northwest Territories released the NWT Oral Health Action Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21 today. The goal of the three year Oral Health Action Plan is to reduce tooth decay, tooth loss and chronic pain in NWT residents, particularly in children and youth.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to ensure that effective supports and programs are available for persons with disabilities. Our government believes that every person living with a disability has the full right to citizenship and opportunity which is why we have been working with our partners and stakeholders to advance plans that will effectively guide our efforts to support this goal.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Glen Abernethy provided a statement on the 2018 Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s Report on Child and Family Services in the Northwest Territories.
“Our top priority is to ensure the safety and security of children and youth receiving services and care from Child and Family Services. The Auditor General’s report contains findings that are disappointing and concerning to all of us and which require immediate action to address.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to the follow-up audit on Child and Family Services that was tabled in the House yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, our top priority is to ensure the safety and security of children and youth receiving services and care from Child and Family Services.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, one of the key priority areas in our government’s mandate was to address the needs of individuals affected by mental health and addictions. That is why we released Mind and Spirit: Promoting Mental Health and Addictions Recovery in the Northwest Territories, which is our strategic framework that helps guide our work in this area.
I’d like to provide an update on some important initiatives we are taking to enhance and improve services in the mental health and addictions area.
The Minister of Health and Social Services tabled the Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2017-2018 yesterday in the Legislative Assembly.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, protecting children from abuse and neglect, and providing services aimed at keeping families healthy, safe and intact, are fundamental priorities for this government. This is a priority for me personally as well. Since joining the Legislative Assembly in 2007 as both a regular MLA and Minister, I have worked to ensure our child and family services system is built around the philosophy that the best supports for children are strong and resilient families.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Glen Abernethy, has appointed Mr. Brian Willows of Hay River, as the new Public Administrator for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) effective October 5th, 2018.
Mr. Willows replaces Mr. Maher who has served as Public Administrator since May 2009.
Mr. Willows brings a wealth of experience to the Public Administrator position including senior positions with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation that included overseeing an operating budget of $60 million annually.
