Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on messages and statements today about the proposal to relocate the Territorial Treatment Centre operated by Bosco Homes in Yellowknife, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Could the Minister update the Assembly on the status of the plan for the potential relocation of the TTC? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision has been made by the government to relocate the program and we are in the initial stages of discussion with Bosco Homes. I have met with the board in Hay River. I have met with Bosco Homes' management and we are going to be taking the appropriate steps to have an orderly transition. We also have to look at working with Public Works and Services over the next number of months to do the planning for the renovations. The money was already in the budget; it has been carried over for this year. So we are in the relatively early stages, but we are moving towards a relocation of TTC to Hay River. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.
Supplementary To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister advise what considerations or options have been included in this plan for future employment options for the Bosco Homes' employees currently employed here in Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there will be an opportunity for staff currently employed, if they wish, to look at transferring. Also Yellowknife has the benefit of having one of the hottest economies in the country, so there are significant job opportunities here. Yellowknife Health and Social Services will also be working with the staff to see what is available. So we will make every effort to ensure that we can minimize whatever personal disruption there is to current staff in Yellowknife as we look at the transition. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.
Supplementary To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the information from the Minister. One of the questions that I received from a parent was to get some sense, Mr. Speaker, of where the residents at the TTC are from. We are trying to get a sense of what parts of the North are served by this facility in its present capacity. Could the Minister provide some sense, on a regional or territorial basis, where the residents are from who are now served by TTC? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, TTC, like Trailcross in Fort Smith, is a territorial facility that provides services to all the communities in the Northwest Territories. Currently, I understand there are four Yellowknife residents and four residents from other smaller communities outside of Yellowknife. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.
Supplementary To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to get some sense of the demand or need for this kind of service. Right now, the Minister has advised that there are some eight being looked after. Is there indeed a waiting list? Do we have a capacity issue with this kind of facility and is there potential for utilizing the Dene K’onia centre as well as perhaps retaining some kind of service here in Yellowknife? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 2-15(4): Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a waiting list of up to seven individuals. Currently, I understand, there is a waiting list of one. So we are looking at utilizing Dene K’onia and when it comes to services in Yellowknife, there will continue to be the many services that are here for children. I would just like to remind individuals, as well, we are working on, at the urging of this House, our southern placements to see what repatriation possibilities are there both for children and for adults. That is an ongoing process that is currently underway, as well. So there will be no shortage of possible demand. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Not that question period has expired, but we do have some special guests out in the Great Hall. We have our Inuvialuit Drummers and Dancers who are going to perform for us. So the Chair will call a short break. I would ask you to join me in the Great Hall for some entertainment and to meet some of the folks out there and we will return at the sound of the bell. Thank you.
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