Jason Unrau
Northern News Services
Monday, June 18, 2007

HAY RIVER - Health Minister Floyd Roland has replaced the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority board with a public administrator citing the need to stabilize operations.

"There's been ongoing issues between the department and the board," said Roland who declined to elaborate.

"The focus here is to bring stability and unity back and to get back to the business of delivery of health and social services (in Hay River)."

Greg Cummings, assistant deputy health minister, has been appointed public administrator while, according to Roland, "The board's authority has been put in abeyance... we've parked the board."

A week-and-a-half ago, Hay River health and social services authority CEO Paul Viera resigned and his was followed by two board members including chair Mario Milovac. Both declined to comment on whether acrimony between the board and department played a role in their resignations.

"I don't think it would be proper for me to comment," said Viera adding he had accepted a similar posting in British Columbia.

"I did receive another offer so I resigned to take that opportunity."

Viera also noted the constant challenge of recruiting and retaining nurses and doctors. Unlike other health and social services boards in the NWT, Hay River's has a hiring mandate and is responsible for maintaining sufficient staff.

However, Roland sang a slightly different tune but failed to provide any specifics.

"(Viera's) resignation was a piece of the puzzle, let's put it that way," said Roland. According to the minister, Viera parted ways voluntarily.

Bob Halifax, one of the four remaining board members and spokesperson, told News/North he had no comment and hinted at some kind of response, despite the fact Roland stripped the board of its authority.

"That's one view of it," said Halifax. "We'll be putting out a press release later this week."