Lesa Semmler: Long-Term Care | Government of Northwest Territories

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Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to making long-term care accessible for seniors and Elders whose needs can no longer be met at home. We recognize the importance of helping residents remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. However, when home and community care services are no longer enough, long-term care plays an important role in providing the necessary support.

We continue to enhance home and community care services, so Northwest Territories residents receive the support they need to stay safe and as healthy as possible at home. At the same time, we must also plan for the future of long-term care in the territory. That is why we are aligning our capital investments in new long-term care facilities with updated bed projections from the Northwest Territories Bureau of Statistics, expected this spring. These projections will help meet the needs of our aging population now and in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, we have taken significant steps to improve long-term care capacity in the territory. The opening of Łıwegǫ̀atì in Yellowknife is a major achievement. This modern, integrated health and social services facility strengthens our ability to provide high quality care to Northerners. It includes a primary care clinic, outpatient rehabilitation services, extended care, and long-term care beds, creating a campus of care that better meets the needs of residents.

Łıwegǫ̀atì provides 16 extended care beds and 74 long-term care beds which will be opened in a phased approach. In January 2025, we began admitting individuals to the 17 beds opened in phase one. These beds are helping to reduce wait times and improve access to care for those who need it most.

Mr. Speaker, as we expand long-term care, we must also invest in our workforce. Investments in Aurora College’s Personal Support Worker and Practical Nurse programs are critical to developing a workforce of skilled health professionals to meet the needs of long-term care facilities across the territory.

We are also strengthening the admission process. We continue to use the Territorial Admissions Committee, which reviews all long-term care applications to promote fair and consistent access. The Department of Health and Social Services manages the long-term care wait list and works closely with all health and social services authorities to support smooth transitions for residents.

To further improve quality, we introduced new long-term care standards last month. These standards reflect best practices from across Canada and promote culturally safe, dignified, and respectful care.

Mr. Speaker, supporting seniors as they age is a responsibility we take seriously. By aligning our investments with future needs, expanding long-term care capacity, strengthening the workforce, and maintaining high standards of care, we are building a system that will support our aging population for years to come.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.