GN won’t renew contract with Chesterfield Inlet group home operator
Deaths of 2 residents being investigated; contract with Pimakslirvik Corp. ends March 31, Family Services minister tells MLAs
Family Services Minister Margaret Nakashuk said in question period Friday the GN is not renewing its contract with the operator of Naja Isabelle group home. (File photo)
The Government of Nunavut is not renewing its contract with the operator of a Chesterfield Inlet group home where the deaths of two young people are under investigation, says Family Services Minister Margaret Nakashuk.
The controversy surrounding Naja Isabelle Home resurfaced at the legislative assembly Friday when Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA Alexander Sammurtok questioned Nakashuk for the second day over the issue.
Operated by Pimakslirvik Corp., the Naja Isabelle home provides services to people under 40 with specialized medical needs.
The deaths of two residents, ages 12 and 19, prompted the RCMP, Nunavut coroner and GN to investigate. The deaths occurred in January and last October, respectively.
Their names have not been released.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Sammurtok called on the GN to be transparent about the investigations and asked that residents be patient and not spread rumours while authorities look into the deaths.
On Friday, Sammurtok said he learned the previous day that the GN was not renewing its contract with Pimakslirvik Corp. He asked Nakashuk to confirm whether that was true.
“I have had correspondence with the Pimakslirvik Corp., and we also sent a letter indicating that March 31, 2024 is the end of their deadline, and that we will not be renewing the contract at that time,” Nakashuk responded.
She didn’t offer an explanation for the decision but said the GN is “committed” to it.
Nunatsiaq News sent Casey Lessard, a spokesperson for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, questions about the contract with Pimakslirvik Corp. and why it won’t be renewed, and asked for information about possible alternative placements for Naja Isabelle residents.
Lessard had not provided answers as of Friday evening.
As well, Pimakslirvik Corp. has not responded to requests for comment sent by email and phone.
“A number of residents of the community of Chesterfield Inlet are employed at Naja Isabelle home, and their jobs and reputations [are on the] line; they too deserve open and honest communication about the situation,” Sammurtok said in the legislature.
He asked Nakashuk if she would provide a full report at the “earliest possible time.”
“In regards to staff, we will take them into consideration because they have been trained to take care of the clients,” Nakashuk said.
“We will make a report. With the investigation going on, we can’t talk about the subjects at this time.”
Do the contractors not also have contracts in other communities?
Not just this – but what happens to the current residents once the contract is up? Where do they go? Will Health take over taking care of them and pay the staff? Or will the residents be shipped out to other communities?
There is an ongoing investigation, and this seems like a knee jerk reaction that will, in the end, make the group home residents and staff get the crappy end of the stick.
Will the new contract go to a new company, with the same owners and the same staff?
Or will there be slight changes?
As usual, nothing but secrecy from the GN.
Can we find out who is “ in front and behind“this corporation ?
Also like John Murphy has said, do they have other contracts in other communities under different names ?
Thanks
Believe the company is owned by the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation
This is reference to hot lips/ rumours initiated (without merit), which is a sample (individuals) outside of work environment (with NO qualifications/ education) hired to administer social work environment. Who monitors (individual) work environment that appear to lean on metal issues/ poor work ethics that is NOT relevant to work environment i.e. delusional/ mental state of mind etc. This could have resulted from feeding wrong intentions, which family services administer under their family tree i.e. family service employments. This may resulted on poor judgement of Minister to withdraw contract from Pimak that provides services, and training within community with positive services! This is sample of weak areas of GN! Must have a new staffer (beginner) on the executive?
I like when. This statement is made. The staff was trained. What kind did they receive. Were they given any kind on hand training. Supervised by a qualified instructor. Did they write any kind of exam. To help determine if they had absorbed any of the training. When they began working.was there supervision to ensure that the work was being properly done. And were the workers given on going training.
This is care home for human beings. Was there any regulations at all. Was there ever a certification certificate document issued. That stated the care home met a safe standard of care?
I’m curious why Minister Margaret Nakashuk will not renew their contract even though the investigation is not over, does she know something we all don’t? Or is she listening to rumors? I read on here not long ago from someone who worked there or had someone in there and they were saying the staff were really good and cared about their patients. Just seems like a quick decision on her part.