Tom Beaulieu

I just wanted to know if either of those two health centres are actually scheduled to a point of the planning study through the process. I see that there’s planning studies that do occur and then following the planning study, usually the following year there’s a determination of whether or not that’s something that should be replaced within that year or the next year or the year after or whatever. So at this point I’m just looking for the timing of the planning study for the two facilities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 66-16(5), NWT Capital Estimates 2011-2012, and wishes to consider the Department of Health and Social Services and, time permitting, the Department of ITI.

Will the Minister review the needs in Lutselk’e with the aim of providing four additional seniors units to house the seniors in Lutselk’e?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I spoke about the need to provide adequate and suitable seniors’ housing in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. I have questions for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

The understanding of the difference in market communities for seniors when they’re finished utilizing their home can sell it and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in small communities, the unit is usually transferred to one of the family members that doesn’t have accommodation. Can the Minister tell me if the NWT Housing Corporation has a plan to address seniors’ housing and...

This is, I think, a fairly simple problem and can be resolved fairly simply, but it has... The policy is in the way. It is kind of an odd situation, because, previously, there were people in these homes, they remained in the homes until their very last days. Health had some involvement in there. Home care was providing some service directly in these facilities and that is all that we are asking for, nothing greater than what was already there, nothing greater than what was there prior to the withdrawal of the program by the Department of Health and Social Services. We are not asking to bring...

Mr. Chairman, am I eligible to ask questions from the next section, community health, or do we have to approve the page first?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a quick question in this area, health services programs. I was wondering if the Minister could advise if there is any planning study scheduled for the replacement of the health centres in both Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prior to the Minister and I travelling into Lutselk’e -- and we also went to Fort Resolution -- will the Minister commit to having his staff begin an immediate dialogue with the Lutselk’e Housing Authority and the Fort Resolution Housing Authority to provide more appropriate seniors’ housing in both communities?

Will the Minister commit to discussing the usage of Our Great Elders Facility in Fort Resolution with the Department of Health and Social Services to accommodate both the Home Care Program and for potential seniors tenants?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Caring for our seniors is an important activity in all of our communities, particularly in our smaller communities such as Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution.

Many families in these communities are already over-burdened with limited income and the high cost of living, so caring for senior family members on top of all of this can be tremendously challenging.

In Fort Resolution, the community has Our Great Elders Facility that can accommodate four seniors. However, Mr. Speaker, this facility is not being utilized for residential use. This...