A self-styled independent caucus of three NWT MLAs will move motions later this week to split the territory’s Department of Health and Social Services in two and censure its minister.
Motions in the legislature generally require two days’ notice before they are debated.
On Tuesday, Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said he will introduce a motion on Thursday calling for the creation of two departments in place of the existing Department of Health and Social Services.
One would focus on health – the likes of clinical services, primary care and public health, Hawkins said – with the other handling social services such as child and family services, mental health and addictions, and community wellbeing.
He said relevant services from other departments would be folded into that department to ensure a “wraparound delivery model.”
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
GNWT departments are occasionally remodelled, renamed or regrouped, though rarely at the urging of regular MLAs. In the recent past, the Department of Lands and Department of Environment and Natural Resources were merged to create a larger Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Hawkins said his motion was seconded by Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, who forms the independent caucus with Hawkins and Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon. Formal political parties aren’t a part of the NWT’s consensus government system.
Testart, seconded by Edjericon, said he would move a separate motion on Thursday requesting the censure of health minister Lesa Semmler for “poor performance.”
Independent caucus members have recently called for Semmler to resign or be reassigned over what they describe as ongoing failures in the NWT’s health and social services systems.
