A new regional health centre is set to be built in Fort Simpson. The question is now how the centre’s location should be decided.
Which plot of land should be used for the project has been a topic of discussion at recent village council meetings.
Last week, councillors expressed concern and frustration over the handling of the process so far, describing a lack of communication between the mayor and some council members.
Councillor Troy Bellefontaine said he had seen emails showing GNWT staff contacting the village on December 10 last year about a meeting to discuss potential locations for the new health centre.
A meeting was eventually scheduled for February 10, Bellefontaine said, but only Mayor Les Wright could attend.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Wright said he took that meeting via Zoom while in Mexico and told the GNWT: “This is not a Village of Fort Simpson decision.”
The mayor said he wanted a tri-council meeting, involving the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation and Fort Simpson Métis Nation, rather than separate GNWT meetings with each, “so that everybody’s hearing the same information.” Wright told councillors the GNWT is working to set up a tri-council meeting.
Councillor Renalyn Pascua-Matte said members of council hadn’t been informed about the February 10 meeting, which she termed a surprise given she and others had spent previous council meetings asking for more information about the health centre.
“Honestly, there’s so many things that are being not shared to the full council,” said Pascua-Matte.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“If it’s taken from December to get to this point, we haven’t had a meeting, I’m just concerned how long it’s going to take to have a tri-council meeting,” said Bellefontaine, who expressed concern about possible delays if more meetings – including community consultations – are required.
“That’s why I’ve been bringing it up to every meeting, because I’m very concerned that this is a major project for us. It’s a very important thing.” Bellefontaine continued.
“It seems like it was just going to be glossed over and we would never know.”
Bellefontaine believes after the February 10 meeting, the GNWT was left with the impression that a location on the island – which he feels would be vulnerable to flooding – is the village’s preferred option. He said the GNWT articulated that understanding at a separate meeting, to his surprise.
On Tuesday, Wright told Cabin Radio he would speak to these and other issues after they were further discussed with council on Tuesday evening. The mayor could not be reached for comment on Wednesday or Thursday, while minutes from the meeting have yet to be published.
In a statement to Cabin Radio, a spokesperson for the NWT’s Department of Health and Social Services said the existing village health centre was built in 1973 and is “nearing the end of its useful life.”
The spokesperson said the last flooding event in the community put long-term care residents – who reside at the health centre – at risk.
“The health centre needs the ability to remain in operation during emergency situations with access to uninterrupted power, water, and sewer,” the spokesperson wrote.
They said there is no specific date by which a location for the facility must be decided, but any “delay in acquiring land will cause delays with subsequent phases of the project.”
“The new facility will allow us to accommodate the changes in community growth and composition, and advancements in technology, ensuring the residents of the Dehcho have access to the best care possible,” the spokesperson wrote.
