I'm glad to hear that there's work started on that. Given that these shelters are NGOs; they're non-profits; they're not government-run facilities. The buildings they're in are owned by the non-profit, so in the case of the Family Support Centre in Hay River, they're in need of major renovations. Frankly, they're probably in need of a new building. Given this big capital cost, does the Minister and his department have any plans to provide any funds for physical infrastructure, either to improve or building a new building for the shelter?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my constituent and my constituent assistant Anne Peters. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to bring to light a serious issue that affects residents of Hay River and many other communities. The Family Support Centre in Hay River has been serving the Northwest Territories for nearly 30 years; it provides a safe and supportive place for women and their children who are fleeing abusive and potentially failed relationships. Despite offering an essential service, the GNWT provides funding that is inadequate even in relation to other shelters in the territory. The mandate of this government states in plain language that we will take action on the...

The Minister stated that he's aware that there's some major problems with that facility. My question is: if the government can’t help renovate that facility, if it's beyond repair, if it needs a new building, is the department prepared to help provide that building or are they willing to let this service just disappear from the community?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the situation that the Family Support Centre in Hay River is facing, and I have some questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services in that regard. I stated that the shelter is underfunded, not just in general, but in comparison to other shelters in the territory. There doesn't seem to be any sort of funding formula based on beds, based on needs or anything like that. I'd like to ask the Minister, does he plan on coming up with some sort of formula so we can adequately fund all of the shelters? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was speaking of the wraparound services and up to four-week waiting times to receive counselling. In addition, victims are often forced to return to abusive relationships because of homelessness, poverty, problems securing housing, employment, and lack of daycare. Mr. Speaker, obviously two and a half minutes is not enough time to address all these issues, but I just want to make sure that this government and the public are aware of this dire situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It's not only the Housing Corporation that is hitting hard financial times. I think that instead of going to direct competition with local businesses, the Housing Corporation might want to consider an alternative, and I'd just ask that the Minister consider that in the future.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week we learned that the NWT Housing Corporation plans to build 45 homes for the RCMP. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Do they know how many of those homes are supposed to be built in each region, in each community, and specifically in Hay River? Thank you

I understand from the Minister's previous comments in the House that the RCMP approached the Housing Corporation so the RCMP didn't have to negotiate with multiple companies in each community for housing. Instead of adding the 45 units to the hundred-plus market units that the Housing Corporation already needs to build, has the Housing Corporation considered implementing a program similar to the Rent Supplement Program, where local businesses could build and maintain these housing units or possibly utilize existing units and lease them to the Housing Corporation. This way the RCMP only have to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Lance Crook. He's a local Hay River boy who just last week completed his medical residency and is now officially an attending physician. I'm not surprised by Lance's success. He's always been a hard worker. Before beginning on his career path, he was already an accomplished guitarist and a journeyman tradesperson. Dr. Crook attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he received a Bachelor of Science honours degree in biochemistry. He went on to complete the Island Medical Program in Victoria and...