The Fort Smith Regional Wellness Council (RWC) serves as an advisory body to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Leadership Council. The RWC provides advice regarding health and social services, priorities under the territorial health and social services plan, and the promotion of health and wellness. The RWC plays a role in ensuring that the concerns and input from the public are addressed and used to inform the delivery of services.

Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act (NWT)

The Fort Smith Regional Wellness Council is composed of six members and a chairperson, for a total of seven members.

Nominations to the RWC are solicited by public advertisements in the communities served by the Regional Wellness Council.

There are no alternate members.

The Act does not provide for the appointment of alternate members to the Regional Wellness Council.

Members are appointed by the Minister of Health and Social Services under section 4.1(2) of the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act.

The RWC can meet up to a maximum of 12 times per year, but may meet less if the council determines that is sufficient. The RWC must meet within the region they serve but if members can’t attend in person they may join via teleconference or video conference.

Members of the RWC shall receive remuneration according to Executive Council classification and Financial Management Board Secretariat directives. RWC members will only be paid for days they meet with the amounts being:

Category – Advisory

Chairperson - up to $300 per day

Member - up to $250 per day

Chair and members – 50% per half-day (i.e., 3.5 hours or less), for work on board business for each day of meetings.

People are eligible to serve as a member of the RWC if they are:

- Residents of the geographic area served by the RWC for at least six months immediately preceding the appointment;

- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;

- At least 19 years of age;

- Knowledgeable regarding the purpose, roles and responsibilities of the RWC;

- Experienced with a proven track record for participation in regional and territorial organizations or committees;

- Available for and committed to full participation as a council member;

- Prepared to sign a statement of ethics and confidentiality related to their duties;

- Able to demonstrate that they are not in a position of conflict with respect to their role as a council member.

People cannot serve as a member of the RWC if:

- they or their spouse work for or provide services for the health and social services system within the region;

- they are a Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of Parliament of Canada;

- they have, within the last three years, been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code and who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.