Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Hay River (Jun 22/01) - According to the people who provide social services in the Northwest Territories, the territorial government's Social Agenda Conference is a good first step towards improving conditions here.
"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 the first opportunity for government to hear from front-line workers and service providers from across the territory. Organizers say they hope to take the recommendations they receive at this conference to develop an action plan to combat social problems facing residents of the NWT.
However, one community caregiver worried that the conference might be a public-relations exercise for the territorial government.
"Why are we having this so soon after the Community Wellness Conference?" asked the individual, who requested anonymity.
Still, most in attendance echoed Julian Tomlinson in wanting to the give the conference a chance.
"We're very happy that we were invited," said Tomlinson, who co-ordinates sports programs at Aurora College in Inuvik.
"It's the first time we've been invited. Most of the time, we get overlooked."
Tomlinson says the government has to look at catching social problems before they turn into major burdens.
"We throw all the money onto the treatment side of things, when prevention-based stuff is way cheaper," said Tomlinson.
The conference is the product of a committee comprised of virtually every territorial cabinet department. Every territorial cabinet minister attended the conference. Several ordinary MLAs were also there.
Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent, who chairs the legislature's Accountability and Oversight Committee, says 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," when it met in Fort Simpson, said Dent. He adds 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 wrapped up Wednesday.
