Glen Abernethy

I’d need to confirm. The information I'm familiar with suggests that we will take ownership of that building in March 2017, at which point we will start moving into an official opening of the building. I don't believe a date has been determined, but I will talk to the CEO to see which date she is working on.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we need to look for any avenue to help us. Traditional procurement might be appropriate in some communities and regions; it may not be in others. Our minds need to be open to pretty much any option. The federal government is a potential other partner. In the previous government, I'd been asked whether or not we would be supportive of private businesses coming in and setting up longterm care facilities. This is something that we're supportive of. There's no reason somebody couldn't come in and start up a longterm care facility if they wanted. At the same...

We do have the Territorial Admissions Committee that actually helps us in focusing and prioritizing individuals, so individuals with higher needs can move up the list, but as I have indicated, we have a significant shortage of beds. Currently, I believe we're about 60 beds short here in the Northwest Territories, and that will be part of the 259 that we're going to be short by 2026. We're working with CAP, we're working with Avens on coming up with some solutions in the shortterm for Yellowknife. But this isn't just a Yellowknife problem. We've got problems in the Beaufort-Delta where we have...

One of the things we are attempting to do with this health transformation is remove some of the barriers that exist today as one individual moves from authority to authority to authority to get the different services. As we tighten up our services, come with more standard procedures, more standard guidelines, as well as clinical standards, we should be able to improve the turn-around and more importantly, the response and the care that our residents get.

Last year I convened a meeting of Aboriginal leadership from across the Northwest Territories and had discussion around this exact topic. We sought input and advice from them, as well as other stakeholders from across the Northwest Territories on what the makeup of those committees should be. We are just in the process right now of doing some call letters out to the different organizations, including MLAs, on nominations for individuals to go on those wellness councils, based on the work that was done. Once that's done, we'll move forward with the establishment of those wellness committees.

 Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister responsible for Seniors, I would like to recognize a couple of individuals in the gallery who represent different seniors' organizations here in the Northwest Territories: Ms. Barb Hood, who is the executive director of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Merlyn Williams, who is a member of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Stephen Jackson, who is the CEO of Avens; as well as Kim Doyle, the executive director of the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society. As a note, Ms. Hood and Mr. Williams and Mr. Jackson are also residents of the Great Slave riding, so welcome. I would also...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 55, Mental Health Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two people in the gallery today. First, Kieran Testart who is a resident of the Great Slave riding. Second, a long-time friend, more like family. He’s a source of wisdom; he’s a source of advice; he’s a creative conveyor of criticism when needed; he presided over my wedding to my amazing wife, Caroline; and he in fact introduced my parents, so you can kind of blame him for me. Mr. Speaker, in the gallery today, Dr. Ian Gilchrist. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services Assessment and Review of Withdrawal Management Services – Final Report – March 31, 2014.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize students from the Aurora College Social Work and Nursing programs who are visiting the Legislature today. They are accompanied by their instructors, Vanessa Rankin and Jodi Brennan. I am going to attempt to pronounce these names, and if I get any wrong, please don’t hold it against me.

Within social work we have Michelle Bourke, Diana Bui, Jessika Claros, Jordon Moffitt, Amanda Pike, Romy Quackenbush, Sade Sada and Alice Thrasher.

The nursing students we have are Laila Nesbitt, Sarah Pope, Constance Afoakwah, Adoma Akua, Beth Thompson, Sasha Stanton...