Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The United Nations General Assembly designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It is to bring attention to the world that abuse of elders is a public health and human rights issue that must be addressed.

The issue of COVID-19 has brought the treatment of elders to the forefront as we hear of the appalling treatment that some are being subjected to in both public and private care homes. It is not only care homes. We know of elders being abused by government through outdated policies and lack of support by family and friends. I am not saying this is an...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I know when she says "not long" it's usually a week. Thank you, Madam Chair. That's all.

I just want to echo MLA Johnson's frustration with the lack of financial support for the small regional cargo airlines. My concern is that we're going to end up losing them, either to bankruptcy or to having them move South. I've heard that from a local airline in Hay River, one that actually wants to expand into the passenger side of things. I'm just wondering: I'd like to ask the Minister how close we are to actually providing them some funding. It sounds like we're not going to see anything from the feds in the near future, so how close are we, as a government, in getting them a package...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that $9.1 million is staying in Hay River. Thank you. No, actually, at the end of the day, what I look at is doing the right thing, and I think that we have to revisit this and see what is the right thing and what is really required, because things do change a bit. I guess, in saying that, I would like to know where we actually are with respect to the design aspect of this. Are we just kind of started? Are we just talking to somebody, or are we kind of partway through it? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The next one is the heating system for Woodland Manor. Is that for the existing part of the manor, or is that for the new, 10-bed, extended-care facility? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The other thing is: with COVID-19, I am just wondering what the added cost or are we anticipating added costs because of that for these projects because of design changes or special design to take into account what is happening today? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. No. That is fine. I think I have an understanding of what the issue is there. I would like to know when we can expect the design to be completed because I don't think it's completed yet and when we could expect ground-breaking on that facility, 48 beds for Hay River.

Thank you, Madam Chair, just a question with respect to the two long-care facilities there. I just see that the Hay River one is $5.6 million and the Inuvik is $1.4 million roughly. What is the difference there?

Can the Minister tell me how allowing more people into the NWT will keep the people of the NWT safe? That is a big concern in the South Slave, and I would like a nice, concise answer to that question.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. Just one more question. I just want a commitment from, I guess, the Minister of ITI that we do get a detailed briefing on the plant and design and expenditures sooner than later. Thank you, Madam Chair.