Whitehorse Daily Star

Planned care facility will not be halted: minister

The Yukon NDP and about 30 people watching the proceedings in the legislature this week received the confirmation that many had been fearing – despite months of whistle blowing, the Whistle Bend care facility will indeed be a reality by 2018.

By Aimee O'Connor on November 27, 2015

The Yukon NDP and about 30 people watching the proceedings in the legislature this week received the confirmation that many had been fearing – despite months of whistle blowing, the Whistle Bend care facility will indeed be a reality by 2018.

“I want to be perfectly clear; this government is proceeding with the construction of the 150-bed continuing care facility in Whistle Bend,” Health and Social Services Minister Mike Nixon said Wednesday.

The comment was made at the end of a debate in the legislature on a motion presented by NDP health critic Jan Stick – requesting that the government halt the project until a proper powwow has occurred with Yukon stakeholders.

“This is about meaningful consultation,” Stick said.

The health critic presented the legislative assembly with documents acquired in an access-to-information request, which the NDP believes points to the fact that the territorial government did not properly consult Yukoners about the project.

The documents show that the government began sending letters to seniors organizations and First Nations in August, asking if members were interested in “hearing more about the planning of the facility.”

Stick acknowledged that there had been information sharing. She pointed out, however, it was not government asking Yukoners what they’d like – it was telling groups what’s being planned for them.

“For the public, the consultation has been abysmal,” Stick said.

Since it was announced, the project has been the go-to source for a plethora of opinions, ranging from discontent with the location and size to the belief that what Yukoners really need is to age in place, in the comfort of their own homes.

“We don’t disagree that there is a need for long-term care beds. We don’t support the way this has been rolled out.” Stick said.

The NDP is not alone in that opinion.

Willy Shippey, a former extended care director at Copper Ridge Place, previously spoke out against the planning of the Whistle Bend facility at a town hall meeting hosted by the Yukon NDP.

At the meeting earlier this fall, Shippey told the group of about 150 that she first heard about the new home for continuing care in an email.

In a letter to Stick, she wrote that something was “fundamentally wrong” with the consultation process.

“Do the right thing,” Shippey wrote, urging the government to schedule forums and departmental meetings for the public.

“As public servants, you are well compensated for your efforts. To those who much is given, much is expected.”

Another Whitehorse resident took her concerns to the Office of the Ombudsman.

After publicizing her own access-to-information documents to the public, Tamara Goeppel was convinced that the decision to construct the building in Whistle Bend was a political one.

The documents detail the location selection process between government officials – and show several instances where Whistle Bend was not the ideal choice, while also leaving the lingering question mark as to why other locations were ruled out.

The assistant deputy minister for Health and Social Services at the time, wrote in an email that choosing Whistle Bend would be a nightmare that would haunt the government in the years to come.

The Ombudsman struck down Goeppel’s complaint against the decision for the location selection.

“The Ombudsman was the clear that the position to build the new continuing care facility in Whistle Bend was a political decision ... Unfortunately, a political decision is not under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman,” Goeppel wrote in a post to Facebook.

Though Goeppel’s complaint and Stick’s motion didn’t go far to change the progress of the project, Stick said it’s not a loss.

“It feels hard going, (but) they are government and they can do what they want,” she said in an interview this morning.

“I will continue to try and bring people’s voices forward. But I can’t make them stop.”

The decision to build the facility, at that size and in that location was done before anybody had a chance to comment on it, she said.

Nixon, on the other hand, insisted that the consultation the government carried out was sufficient.

“No policy or program or building is ever developed in a vacuum. We are listening and we are responsive,” he said.

The facility, Nixon said, will be the “envy” of other Canadians.

It will help shorten the wait-list for long-term care, which is sitting at about 70-80 for the territory currently.

The government has already called the tender for the design/build process.

Ben Horowitz, a spokesperson for the Department of Highways and Public Works, confirmed that six teams responded to the request for quotes, and three were shortlisted for the request for full proposals in June.

An announcement with the highest-ranked proponent from those three will be released in early December, Horowitz wrote in an email.

The estimated cost of the project is somewhere around $270 million.

The building with 150 bedrooms will be completed in 2018 – with the option to expand to an additional 150 beds if necessary.

Comments (15)

Up 31 Down 1

north_of_60 on Dec 3, 2015 at 5:07 pm

"Planned care facility will not be halted: minister "
HA !! That minister is going to be "halted" before any more boondoggles are built in WastelandBend. That sort of take-it-or-leave-it-attitude gets politicians removed.

“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.” -Mark Twain

Up 14 Down 0

History Repeats on Dec 3, 2015 at 2:17 pm

@June Jackson -- that YP member sounds just like Harper and the Conservatives before the election. They also truly believed there was no viable alternative to themselves. They seemed downright offended at the idea that Justin Trudeau, in particular, dared put himself forward. "We just can't let these guys in" said one, as I recall. "They're a disaster". Based on no valid input, of course.

Nothing foretells political failure like complacency and an entrenched attitude of noblesse oblige. Even conservative Yukon is capable of digging in their heels against that.

Up 8 Down 12

wundering on Dec 1, 2015 at 10:32 pm

Build it and they will come.
Rapid transit to Whistlebend.

Up 36 Down 6

Dude on Dec 1, 2015 at 5:00 pm

I suppose if I wanted to put in a Dude ranch these guys would come up with the money for me. This is an administration spun out of control.
Clearly it's time for a good house cleaning.

Up 34 Down 48

YukonMax on Nov 30, 2015 at 10:43 am

So, I am preparing to move back east when my time comes. I will not be forced to move out of my community and housed in a chicken coop in Whitehorse where I do not know anyone. At least back east all my relatives are there.

Up 54 Down 33

ProScience Greenie on Nov 29, 2015 at 2:30 pm

There is tons of room up behind the current hospital that could easily and cheaply be leveled allowing any number of health care facilities to be built. A quick look on Google Earth or any of the government's GIS map sites will show that. It's close to the hospital and would have a great view of the river, the city and the mountains which is great for our elders and others in need of care. It is also solar energy friendly. Some might say that would require a 2nd bridge over the Yukon River. True but we will need to build that bridge sooner or later so we might as well do it sooner.

My advice to Paz and crew is to not get too pushy with an election coming very soon.

Up 54 Down 2

Politico on Nov 29, 2015 at 12:22 pm

It's not that the facility isn't needed it's the implementation that is the issue. The obvious political interference in the selection process and the fact that the consultation process is just a sham, that's the problem. The government had already made up it's mind where and when this project was going to take place then announced consultations, not that they will have any effect on the outcome.

Up 63 Down 40

Groucho d'North on Nov 28, 2015 at 9:58 am

This issue is tiresome. There is no place downtown for such a facility, there isn’t even enough room for parking now for the people who work in town each day. The NDP appear to be Hell-bent on stopping the development, but have not suggested an alternative location, rather they bleat on about consultation with Yukoners surrounded by their rent-a –crowd travelling demonstration group who have all the talking points memorized and circus performers ready to grace the front page of the papers. In context of the coming election, the NDP appears to be resigned to the official opposition once more because they do not demonstrate leadership, only criticism for what others are doing, and that is not what a government is for.

Up 92 Down 11

June Jackson on Nov 27, 2015 at 10:23 pm

This government has surrounded themselves with yes men/women, who tell them what they want to hear. So..the government thinks the NDP have put a few nut cases together and really.. seniors and their families want it there..They don't believe no one wants it there.

I was talking to one of the Yukon Party MLAs and he said after the election they will be able to see this project to the end. I said, what if you don't get elected, and he truly believes there is just no one that can run against them and win. The Yukon Party really, truly believe that they will be elected in again.

That is why they behave the way they do, they think they will get another mandate.

They have been high handed, arrogant and secretive since they got elected, and I believe the election will not be about who you are voting in, but getting every single person in the Yukon Party out. They will promise the moon (and a free bus ride to Sewerville).. but it won't be about that either, or money, or any other campaign promises they make. It will be about getting them out, hopefully for the first termers, without a pension.

I'm to the point where they can't be saved..I just want them gone.

Up 88 Down 3

boon-doggle on Nov 27, 2015 at 7:45 pm

270 million.... can't WAIT to see how far over budget this one goes!! this will make every other major project look like small potatoes in comparison! You beauracats couldn't manage your way out of a wet paper bag let alone something of this size and scope! You're truly insane!!!!

Up 48 Down 12

Wolfe on Nov 27, 2015 at 5:59 pm

Goeppel is running, in the upcoming territorial election, under the Liberal party. And, in all likelihood will be successful in her run for politics. The writing is on the wall for this project as the Liberals will put a halt to it faster than you can say boo! More wasted tax dollars.
Just like our new PM..firing faster than a western 6 shooter - bullets going everywhere..nothing hitting the target and now the sights are being adjusted.

Up 64 Down 8

Lost in the Yukon on Nov 27, 2015 at 5:31 pm

Boys you have just officially killed any chance of being re-elected.
Both the Liberals and NDP should be saying thank you to the whole YP for making it so easy to turf them.

Up 128 Down 10

Wonder if any of the PC party members will retire to this facility? on Nov 27, 2015 at 4:50 pm

You've got to be kidding me. You guys are out in the next election and we're gonna have this poorly planned facility regardless? Mr. Nixon or any of the other YP party, will you retire and go to this facility? Bring your parents into it when they get older? I bet not. It's not that a care facility is not needed, it's that this plan is ludicrous. 150 beds? Remind anybody of the mental wards they used to keep mentally ill people in? And all the damage that was done in those facilities? Smaller facilities, in each neighbourhood, dispersed, would be the better option. Not cheaper, but long term!! And do one smaller one in Whistle Bend. And put more money into home care! Seeing elders who are physically disabled only get home care once ever two weeks is a crime! DO YOUR JOB

Up 42 Down 64

This project has been in the public since on Nov 27, 2015 at 4:34 pm

2011. Give the seniors a break and build it. NDP delayed the project and hurt seniors who needed the project. NDP's only interest is power not Yukoners.

Up 74 Down 11

Just Sayin' on Nov 27, 2015 at 4:18 pm

Next it will be the sports facility and so forth. YTG needs to increase the density of the whistle bend area because it has not been popular. It truly is a waste of money. When one passes away and it is determined that if the individual had been taken to the hospital faster they would have had a better opportunity to survive, those family members can sue!!!

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