Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Hay River (Jun 20/01) - The government's Social Agenda Conference is a good first step, say the people who provide social services in the territories.
"Theoretically, it's a very good idea," said Nuelle Novik, president of the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada. She added that she'll wait to see the "follow-up" from the government.
The conference is billed as an opportunity for government to hear from front-line workers and service providers from across the territory. Organizers say they hope to take the recommendations that come out of the meetings to develop an action plan to combat social problems facing residents of the NWT.
Privately, some community caregivers worried that the conference might amount to nothing more than a public-relations exercise.
Still, most in attendance echoed Donna Pich, in wanting to the give the conference a chance.
"By working together, maybe we'll come up with some solutions," said Pich, president of the Certified Nursing Assistants/Licensed Practical Nurses association.
The conference is the product of a committee comprised of virtually every territorial cabinet department. In addition to about 200 social service providers, aboriginal and community leaders from around the territory, every cabinet minister attended the conference. Several ordinary MLAs also attended.
Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent, who chairs the assembly's accountability and oversight committee, said he thinks the members opposite the cabinet are willing to give the government the benefit of the doubt.
"(The committee) raised the issue a couple weeks ago," said Dent. He added that while questions were raised about the timing of the conference and a lack of consultation with them by the cabinet, there was broad agreement that the NWT needs to move forward on social issues.
Health Minister Jane Groenewegen would not give a firm timetable for action on any recommendations out of the conference. "This is just a first step," she said.
The conference was scheduled to wrap up today.
