Premier backs Semmler as 3 MLAs float idea of removing her

Three NWT regular MLAs threatened on Thursday to seek health minister Lesa Semmler’s removal from cabinet unless urgent changes are made to the territory’s “flatlining” healthcare system.

The three don’t appear close to having the votes needed to make good on that threat, but they are joined by other regular MLAs in expressing frustration at the pace of change, even if those MLAs don’t support removing Semmler.

Multiple MLAs say they want to see solutions proposed by healthcare workers implemented more quickly than has been the case.

Premier RJ Simpson said Semmler “has my full confidence to continue leading the Government of the Northwest Territories’ work to address the complex challenges facing our health care system.”

The health minister will appear in front of a committee of MLAs on May 16 alongside Dan Florizone, the public administrator she recently appointed to replace a scrapped nine-person health authority leadership council.

In a Thursday news release, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, Yellowknife Centre’s Robert Hawkins and Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh’s Richard Edjericon demanded “immediate action” from the GNWT on a range of measures, many of them recently set out by physicians’ group the NWT Medical Association.

In full: Read the three MLAs’ press release
From April: Read about the NWT Medical Association’s concerns

“We’ve been at this for a year, and Northerners can’t wait any longer for real change that improves their access to the healthcare they need,” Testart was quoted as saying.

Hawkins accused the people in charge of “inaction.”

The three homed in on the appointment of Florizone, saying his engagement with the trio had been “inadequate.”

“Months after the appointment, no significant actions have been taken to improve healthcare – nor has a clear plan been presented,” the press release stated.

Ultimately, the three MLAs said they would be “willing to change the minister” without the rapid implementation of changes.

“Since the election, we have been raising the alarm on the healthcare crisis, and the only action the Minister has taken is to fire the Indigenous-led oversight board. That decision did not sit well with Dene people, and it certainly hasn’t improved healthcare in small communities,” Edjericon was quoted as saying.

“It’s time for this Minister to stop passing the buck. She must take her responsibilities seriously and hold her department’s leadership accountable.”

‘Apparent lack of uptake’ on ideas

Cabinet only needs two votes from the 11 regular MLAs to kill any attempt to remove a minister.

There is no indication that Edjericon, Hawkins and Testart – who have moved toward forming a quasi-party of sorts in recent months, one that other MLAs seem disinclined to join – will get the votes they would need if they tried to oust Semmler.

For example, Yellowknife North’s Shauna Morgan told Cabin Radio: “While I appreciate my colleagues’ continued efforts to draw attention to urgent improvements needed within our healthcare system, I want efforts to remain constructive.”

Morgan said she supported some of the actions the three MLAs propose – a change to the bargaining approach for physicians, alterations to licensing and the introduction of “more virtual technologies” – but felt others “could lead us in unhelpful or problematic directions,” such as a proposal to ban agency nurses “without first building up a stable local workforce.”

Morgan said “the threat to oust any Minister or the Premier is premature.” (The three MLAs’ press release appeared also to contemplate trying to remove the premier, though the wording was not clear.)

“My priority is to continue working constructively with all my colleagues to find solutions and ensure the voices and ideas of frontline healthcare workers are taken seriously by decision makers,” she concluded.

Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers struck a similar tone.

“While I respect everyone’s opinion and understand that press releases and political discussions, often had through media, will always be a key piece of our political process, we must be cognisant that it sometimes can make it even more difficult to recruit,” Rodgers wrote.

“We must build solutions through consensus, and ensure that in an increasingly competitive market, The Northwest Territories is seen to be a place to live, work, and enjoy the amazing lifestyle we have to offer.”

Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said he was confident Semmler “is taking the situation seriously” but stressed his frustration at the slow pace of change in NWT healthcare.

“Considering how long MLAs have been calling for change, and reassurance from the health minister and public administrator that they are working on solutions, tangible changes are not being felt within the system by staff or patients,” Morse wrote.

“Healthcare is facing a nationwide staffing crisis that is exacerbating the issues we are having here in the territory, but this does not negate the fact that there are serious challenges here which are specific and unique.

“Healthcare professionals have clearly laid out solutions to them, and are understandably frustrated at the apparent lack of uptake on their ideas.”

Morse said Premier Simpson and the deputy premier, Caroline Wawzonek, need to be more closely involved.

“I see cabinet as a team and expect them to support one another on critical files, particularly this one,” he wrote.

‘Tangible, necessary steps’

Simpson, in a written statement issued by cabinet communications, said Semmler – an Indigenous northerner and former healthcare provider – “brings a deep, personal understanding of the issues facing both our dedicated staff and the system as a whole.”

“She has demonstrated steady, solutions-focused leadership and has taken tangible, necessary steps – including appointing a Public Administrator to help stabilize the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority – to ensure decisions reflect the best interests of our valued health care providers and all residents,” the premier wrote.

“The challenges facing our health care system are significant, and they are not unique to the Northwest Territories. Across Canada, jurisdictions are grappling with provider shortages, growing demand, and mounting pressures on the system.

“Through it all, Minister Semmler has remained focused on meeting these challenges head-on through practical and collaborative efforts that strengthen care and support Northerners in every community.”