Debates of February 14, 2005 (day 35)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the elders' long-term care home facility in Deline has been closed for a number of years. To date the government continues to pay operating and maintenance costs on the facility, but have yet to determine its use. Mr. Speaker, it’s really hard to imagine an empty building in a community when there are not enough buildings to administer programs and services that people have daily access to in larger centres. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Will the Minister tell me why the elders’ long-term care home facility in Deline is closed?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this goes back quite a few years, but there was a determination made sometime after the facility was built that it wasn’t needed for the purpose it was designed. Therefore, it was no longer used. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister tell me what are the operating and maintenance costs associated with this facility? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, has just indicated to me that the mortgage payments are over $22,000 a month. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Yakeleya, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell the Legislative Assembly what the department has considered for the use of this facility in Deline?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m aware of the interest in the region and in Deline for the use of that facility and, as a government, it’s a facility that we built and we’re funding to pay the mortgage on. We have looked at it with its potential for a long-term care facility and a number of months ago, as we were doing our review of facilities across the NWT, there was an initial review done of the facility where it was indicated to us that it would cost about $3 million to upgrade the facility to the current code and standards for a long-term care facility. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, surrounding that, we have…(inaudible)…in Deline. It is costing $22,000 a month, according to the Minister, for the mortgage and they are looking at it. Will the Minister tell me when the department expects to make a decision on the future use of this long-term care facility in Deline and have our people come to stay back in our region? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-Term Care Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the constructive use for that facility is on the government agenda. As I have discussed with the Member, if there is a clear understanding in the Sahtu region, for example, that there would be political support for one regional care centre, then that would go a long way to assist in making it clear for the government on what the wishes of the people in the Sahtu are. If every community in the Sahtu is going to be wishing or demanding or asking for a long-term care facility, then it will be a very difficult circumstance. Those are the circumstances at present. Thank you.