YELLOWKNIFE (June 14, 2017) – Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services, announced that an interim location has been identified for the Sobering Centre program in Yellowknife.  A collaborative effort by the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA), the City of Yellowknife and the Department of Health and Social Services has resulted in an agreement to host the program in the Yellowknife Community Arena until September 13, 2017.

The program will be launched on July 17, 2017.

YELLOWKNIFE (June 5, 2017) – The Department of Health and Social Services has released the first of a 5-part video series to spread awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and abuse. The videos are part of a larger campaign launched across the Northwest Territories after a string of opioid-related overdoses in November of 2016.

Delivered on June 2, 2017

Mr. Speaker, Disability Awareness Week is approaching in the NWT. 

Each year we acknowledge persons with disabilities and strive to raise awareness of   challenges they may face in their daily lives with accessibility and inclusion. We also recognize volunteers who work to help persons with disabilities achieve equality within their communities during the annual Disabilities Awareness Tea.

Delivered June 1, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that June is Seniors Citizen’s Month, June 1^st is Intergenerational Day, and June 15^th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  I would like to invite all Northerners to join me in recognizing seniors across the Territory and their valuable contribution within our families and communities during this month.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services continues to be committed to improving the health and the lives of Northerners.

To achieve this goal, Health and Social Services, along with the Tłįchǫ Government and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, submitted a proposal to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to establish a Strategy for Patient Oriented Research SUPPORT unit in the NWT.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 20, 2017) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has begun the necessary work to prepare for the legalization of cannabis following the tabling of federal legislation in the House of Commons last week.

The GNWT established a multi-departmental cannabis working group in 2016 in response to federal plans to table legislation sometime in early 2017. The working group will now review the legislation to determine next steps to ensure the GNWT is prepared for legalization in July 2018.

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YELLOWKNIFE (April 11, 2017) – Residents will be celebrating the official opening of the new Jimmy Erasmus Seniors’ Home tomorrow in Behchokǫ̀.

DETTAH (March 14, 2017) - The Department of Health and Social Services, with support from Health Canada, is hosting a pan-territorial on-the-land summit to provide an opportunity for land-based programming experts to exchange best practices and discuss opportunities and challenges.

Delivered on March 2, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to continue the integration of the health and social services system to improve care for our people. Today, I want to provide an update on our work to transform the Northwest Territories health and social services system.