In June 2023, my first Labour Views column was about the precarious state of our healthcare system and here we are now in late February 2024 having the same discussion.
In the January Labour Views column from Gayla Thunstrom, president of the Union of Northern Workers, the question was asked, “Is our healthcare system about to collapse?” I must agree that we are dangerously close to catastrophe.
The state of healthcare services in the Northwest Territories is deeply concerning and has significant ramifications for both residents and the labour market. All our regions face numerous challenges, including limited access to healthcare facilities, shortages of medical professionals and inadequate infrastructure. Hay River goes without any doctors in town multiple times a year. This winter, Yellowknife faced both clinics being closed and a terribly overstretched emergency department at Stanton Territorial Hospital.
These issues not only compromise the health and well-being of residents but also have detrimental effects on the labour market.
First and foremost, the scarcity of healthcare services in the NWT puts immense strain on its residents. Individuals in our remote communities often must travel long distances for even basic care. This results in delays in treatment, exacerbating health conditions, and sometimes leading to preventable complications or fatalities. Moreover, the quality of care may be compromised due to the shortage of medical staff and resources, further exacerbating health disparities in the regions.
The impact of inadequate healthcare services extends beyond health outcomes; it also affects the labour market. For one, the absence of accessible healthcare can deter individuals from moving to or staying in the NWT. Skilled workers, particularly those with families or chronic health conditions, may be hesitant to relocate to an area with perceived subpar healthcare infrastructure. This limits the pool of talent available to local businesses and industries, hindering economic growth and development in the regions.
Additionally, these struggles also deter healthcare workers from wanting to come North, further perpetuating the vicious cycle we seemed to be trapped in.
Furthermore, the health of the workforce directly influences productivity and absenteeism rates. Inadequate healthcare services mean that employees may struggle to access timely medical care, leading to prolonged absences from work or decreased productivity due to untreated health issues. This can have ripple effects on businesses, resulting in decreased efficiency, increased healthcare costs for employers and overall economic instability.
Additionally, the burden of healthcare falls disproportionately on certain sectors of the labour force, particularly those in low-wage or precarious employment. Without adequate healthcare coverage or access to employer-sponsored benefits, workers may face financial barriers to seeking medical treatment, further exacerbating health inequities and perpetuating a cycle of poverty and ill health.
According to the Canadian Labour Congress, one in five Canadians — almost eight million people — have reported they did not have prescription insurance to cover medication costs. No one should ever have to choose between groceries or their medication. The federal government must commit to implementing a national, publicly-administered universal prescription drug plan for every Canadian.
Closer to home, our territorial government can make changes now that will impact our deliverance of healthcare to a large population of residents by changing the Public Service Act to allow the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) to join the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA). How we have allowed one of our largest communities to suffer weeks at a time with no physician available is a travesty. It endangers not only the residents of Hay River and surrounding communities, but also places undue stress on their healthcare workers and limits recruitment potential and retention of current staff.
By absorbing HRHSSA into NTHSSA, resources can be better shared and distributed equitably. Everyone in this territory deserves the same access to care and we need this rectified immediately.
Addressing the healthcare crisis in the NWT is essential for fostering a thriving labour market and improving overall socio-economic conditions in the regions. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, recruitment and retention strategies for medical professionals, and initiatives to improve access to care for remote communities are crucial steps towards achieving this goal.
By prioritizing healthcare reform, the NWT can not only enhance the well-being of its residents but also create a more attractive environment for workers and businesses, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
—Sara-Jayne Dempster is president of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour.