Shane Thompson

Mr. Speaker, a study for the Fort Simpson Health Centre was introduced in the 20-year needs assessment, targeted over the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016. On February 5, 2015 according to then Minister of Health and Social Services, the study was delayed so that the department can complete a plan study for the Norman Wells Health Centre replacement. Will the Minister confirm that the study for the Fort Simpson Health Centre will be completed by this fiscal year? Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for his answer. In regards to long-term care, can the Minister explain the existing facility? Are they looking at utilizing that as long-term care as well, because I know he keeps giving the numbers out there. It's over 200 at a certain - I think 225 or 226. Can the Minister please elaborate on that?

I thank the Minister for his answer. It clears up a little bit more. He talked about it being a C facility; it could be a B or a C. Could he elaborate a little further about the guidelines, the parameters or designs on this facility, what a B or a C or a combination of B and C facility is?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank, again, the Minister for his answer. I will ask later on to the Minister of PW. Again, it seems to get cleared who's responsible for who, so I'm learning as the time goes on. Is there any way that the Minister can commit to the people or the residents of the region that this needed facility will be actually potentially moved up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for his answer. He kind of answered question number two already, so I'll move on to question number three here. Mr. Speaker, on October 15, 2015 the then Minister cautioned that the health centre project in Fort Simpson will have to compete against a number of other priorities coming from several territorial departments such as Transportation, schools and Public Works.

Mr. Speaker, the then Minister quoted to CBC, it is based on needs, demands, programs, services, budgets and all these things. Again to address the concerns out there, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding the contract to complete a planning study on the Fort Simpson Health Centre was awarded in March 2015. In October of 2015, the previous Member for Nahendeh requested an update. During that update the then Minister for Public Works and Services estimated the first phase of the plan he said would be finished in February 2016, and then the second phase would be in the fall of 2016. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that this facility is needed to be replaced due to age, quality control and maintenance costs.

A new health centre helps...

I thank the Minister for the answer. This did clarify a few things a little bit better. So are they looking at additional services in there so we don't have to come to the major centre, or is there just going to be the status quo? We're going to continue to have to utilize the facility in Hay River and the one in Yellowknife?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about the planning study for the replacement of the Fort Simpson Health Centre. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services a few more questions about this project. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Department of Public Works and Services has already gone into the community in 2015 to discuss this project. Can the Minister please provide us with an update on this meeting? Marci cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of the extended operating hours for MV Lafferty ferry. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 153 handwritten signatures of Northwest Territories residents and three electronic signatures of Northwest Territories and Canadian residents. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the Department of Transportation extend the operating hours of the MV Lafferty ferry to 6:00 a.m. to midnight daily without creating a service break in the afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I won’t try to ask you the question this time. I’ll ask the question to the Minister responsible for ENR. I thank the Minister for that answer and I’m very happy to hear that there is a committee. Can the Minister actually advise the committee that there is some of these issues out there that people are looking at, the electronics that has, you know, getting a refund, so we can get all the electronics out of our dumps and into a proper recycling process? This will be my final question.