MLAs want auditor general to investigate health authority

“It is more important than ever for the government to improve the financial and operational sustainability of the Northwest Territories’ healthcare system.”

Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart wants Canada’s auditor general to conduct a performance audit of “all aspects of the management” of the NWT’s health authority related to healthcare delivery.

Testart said that should include medical travel and the recruitment and retention of healthcare staff.

On the heels of an auditor’s general report that heavily criticized an over-budget project to revamp the territory’s largest hospital, Testart tabled a motion in the legislature on Thursday calling for another healthcare-related audit.

He said the NWT’s financial outlook is “dire,” sustained healthcare staff shortages have “placed increased operational demands on full-time staff leading to burnout,” and the continued use of agency nurses is “financially unsustainable.”

When the territorial health authority was established in 2016, Testart said it inherited an accumulated deficit of $51 million. As of March 31, 2024, he said that deficit had grown to $272.9 million.

“We are on an ever-increasing track of a financially unsustainable model of healthcare delivery in the Northwest Territories,” he said, adding the territory’s residents also face challenges accessing healthcare.

“We need to get to grips with this, and I don’t think we know how.”

‘Not a silver bullet’

Premier RJ Simpson said he “agreed with much” of what regular MLAs have said about the territory’s healthcare system.

“I’ve received complaints about the healthcare services as well, just like every MLA in here,” he said.

The premier said, however, that he wanted to “temper” people’s expectations, saying audits are “not a silver bullet” and don’t guarantee change.

Simpson pointed to his government’s plan to create a healthcare system sustainability unit within the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, which officials discussed in a public briefing last week. He said the unit’s work would “yield financial benefits for the NWT.”

“If we’re offering the Cadillac of services, you know maybe we don’t offer the Cadillac of services any more, but we do the Ford Focus of services much better,” he said during that briefing.

In the legislature last week, Simpson said that team will not be tasked with simply cutting services. He said they would determine what the territory’s “core services” are and “ensure we’re offering them in the best possible way.”

The territory plans to spend more than $7 million from the Territorial Health Investment Fund on the nine-person unit over four years.

Outside eyes needed, MLAs say

Testart argued on Thursday that it would be better to have someone completely outside the NWT government, with expertise, come up with a solution to the territory’s healthcare crisis.

He noted the territory would not have to pay for the services of the auditor general’s office.

“This can be the government that finally, finally sets healthcare on the right course for the Northwest Territories,” he said.

Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said the “overwhelming message” he had heard from healthcare practitioners is that “they feel their voices are not being heard by decision-makers.”

Morse said a cultural shift is necessary and agreed with Testart that outside help is needed to address the issue.

Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong said “major improvements” to healthcare are especially needed in small communities.

“We want Cadillac services. We’ve been living with the Ford Focus services for a long time,” she said. “In the process, our people are not getting the treatment they deserve.”

All 10 regular MLAs in the assembly voted in favour of the motion. Cabinet abstained from voting, as is usually their practice when a regular MLA makes a motion.

This week’s audit of Stanton Renewal also had its roots in a motion by regular MLAs. That motion passed in 2020.

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