Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I had a conversation with the Minister of health about the small apartments or buildings that they have for independent living for seniors. We're looking at a shift to having seniors age at home, but it's not the only answer; it's part of a number of solutions. One area that I do like is having facilities or small, independent buildings beside the extended-care facilities where they could have additional and timely support, so I would ask the Minister: what are the benefits and what is the success of some of the buildings that have been in place for a number...

If the department is looking at what I am hoping is additional homecare, are we looking at an increase in support workers in the area of homecare for Hay River if we are only getting 24 beds?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions will be for the Minister of health. Yesterday, the Minister of health made a statement on long-term care bed projections. It will probably come as no surprise to her that residents of Hay River became excited and not in a good way. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister if she can confirm what this means for the 48 beds that were slated for Hay River and that are still in the capital budget. Are we going to see any changes to that? That will be the first question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. When it comes to oil and gas, that's kind of my favourite area. We are coming in, I think, to the five-year requirement for a review on the moratorium of oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea area. Keeping this alive, I think, is important and for this government to continue participating. Whether anything comes out of it, I am not holding my breath because of the price of gas right now. Our best bet would probably be selling to China or somewhere like that, to move it that way. There is an abundance of it around North America. I have no problem with this. It's paid by the...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I wasn't clear enough. What I'm talking about is the extended-care facility that we're looking at that is going to go on that property. If we're looking at a smaller footprint, does that require knocking down the old hospital prior to construction of that new extended-care facility? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions are for the Minister responsible for ECE. Mr. Speaker, with all the recent attention of potential changes to the NWT school curriculum in the media and news articles suggesting the NWT is dropping the Alberta curriculum, can the Minister please clarify if a decision has been made to move away from Alberta? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that clarifies it. I guess I've got to take the courses. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, am in support of this reduction. It's time that we start to recognize the importance of small businesses. I know that there was an attempt in the last Assembly to try and get the tax rate down to zero, and the government at the time did not even give it time to hit the floor for debate. I am very pleased to see that we have a group here that understands the importance of small businesses and is willing to give them support in whatever way they can. This is one small way to do it. Just as taxes are required for civilization, so is small business required to keep...

My third question, I guess he answered part of it: why can't the NWT just develop our own curriculum, but it sounds like it's too expensive. Why do we have to partner with another province besides the fact that we're talking about money?

I hope that comment about paying attention wasn't directed at me.

---Laughter