Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 30/05) - Two Yellowknife MLAs say a decision to move a centre for troubled kids to Hay River is nothing less than political gamesmanship.

As reported in NWT News/North May 23, the Territorial Treatment Centre is to be moved to the former Dene K'onia young offenders facility in 2006. The centre will need $3 million in renovations.

Seventeen full-time and six part-time jobs will be affected by the move of the Territorial Treatment Centre, which is currently home to eight children with severe behavioral disorders.

Dene K'onia was closed earlier this year by the Department of Justice, taking with it 15 full-time jobs plus casual positions.

"This is a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul," said Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee. "The government should not use people's lives for payoffs and paybacks."

Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay also said the decision was probably motivated by politics and "a case has not been made" to transfer the program.

Health and Social Services Minister Michael Miltenberger said this proves the government's "willingness to decentralize services."

Employees are upset by the closure, said Alan Bowerman, program director at the treatment centre.

"People like working here," he said Thursday. "This is a really good staff."

The program is run by Bosco Homes, a private contractor.

The health department would try to accommodate some of the workers "to minimize personal disruptions," Miltenberger said.

But Bowerman said employees are hesitant about a possible move to Hay River. "There is no for sale sign on my house," he said.

In a letter to News/North, another employee took issue with Great Slave MLA Bill Braden, who was quotes as saying he supports the transfer.

"I find it both appalling and insulting that an individual who is in a position to represent the best interests of Yellowknifers would make such bold, unfounded statements," said counsellor Amanda Rumbolt

Braden - whose riding is home to the treatment centre - said he was open to discussing the closure with staff members.