Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, based on the successes we’ve had with respect to installing dialysis machines in Fort Smith to start with, outside of Yellowknife, of course, and Hay River, there is a plan in the near future to make dialysis machines available in Simpson. The issues the department are working on right now is with respect to the space at the centre, as well as staffing. Definitely this project is in the works. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that there have been, for a long time, very in-depth ongoing discussions between the department and the community of Resolution with regards to the best use of this facility and that all of the assessments that have been done suggest that the facility, the way it was built -- and it was built by the NWT Housing Corporation -- wasn’t meant for extended care facility for seniors. It was meant more for seniors who were able to live more independently. To make it into an extended care unit will require very extensive renovation including...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the project is reviewed as either a renovation or a new capital project, the cost-benefit analysis changes because you have to look at the lifetime cost and such. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, let me just make a commitment with the Members to give her and yourself more information about where it is at. I just don’t have that detailed information that the Member is asking for just now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to, first of all, thank the Member and yourself for the invitation to visit Hay River facilities. I had a well programmed, productive visit to Hay River a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I did visit the facility. With respect to the capital program, Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that project was in the books as a renovation project in the last budget for 2008 and 2009. Since then, with the work of the public administrator, there is a need to look at that as more of a new capital project. That is what is in the works. We are going through...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, being a returning Member, the Member is, I am sure, well aware of a lot of the work that was done. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of work done by the previous Health Minister to agree with the YACCS and the scope and the costs of the project. We need to reaffirm that in this Assembly and the proper documentation will go to Cabinet for further approval. If he talks to his sources at YACCS, they will be able to tell him about the work that has been done. It is very much alive. A lot of work is being done. It is moving forward. The sod turning ceremony...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With all due respect to the Member, this is a highly complex and difficult issue. It is a huge area dealing with addictions and mental health issues. It needs a very comprehensive and focused energy on the part of this Assembly. I am willing to work with the Member on aftercare, before care, prevention, treatment and everything else that has to do with addiction strategy. So, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working in that regard. I don’t think it is a simple yes or no question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly, this is an important project that has been worked on for a long time. I don’t think there are any stalling tactics going on. There is a lot of work being done between the department and the YACCS. There are lots of documents and agreements that they are reviewing right now so that we can have the results and have it put before this Assembly and this Cabinet for review and approval. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m aware of at least in Yellowknife there are lots of programs being provided by NGO organizations at the Salvation Army, other counselling services. There are aftercare follow-up being done. Perhaps there’s not as much as we would like to see. I think that’s one of the big pieces that we’re working on as Caucus as a whole and 16th Assembly in terms of coming up with the plans and putting more focus on dealing with addictions and mental health issues. I look forward to having a lot more discussions about that and how we go about reaching them and how we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a sneaking suspicion that I might have to say more than hi when I visit the community. I welcome any invitations from Members to visit their communities because I really think it’s a good way to learn about issues, facilities and concerns of the people. I have travelled to every community except for two so far, but not as the Minister of Health. I think I’ve already overbooked myself, because I’m going to Fort Resolution in two weeks and Inuvik, but I’ll try to cover as many communities as possible around Inuvik. I don’t know if I can make it to Tuk, but I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely. I make a commitment to be in Tsiigehtchic at my earliest possible opportunity; perhaps in January. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.