Debates of October 25, 2004 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, recently the Minister and I went to the Sahtu to talk about some of the housing issues in the Sahtu. I want to ask if the Minister could give me an update on the terms of the one seniors' facility in Deline that the people in the Sahtu would like to see open. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a care facility in Deline that has been unoccupied for some time. We have put a proposal to the community to come back with something in writing, if they can find another use for it. We are talking to people within the department, from the Department of Health and also if there are any non-government organizations interested in making use of that facility, we are open to offers. So we have put an offer out there, we haven’t heard anything back to date, so the offer is still there. So that is where it sits today.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister inform the House here as to some sort of a time frame that they would make a decision on it with the community of Deline, in terms of the uses of that facility? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not the only facility that we are having problems with in regard to occupancy. It has been unoccupied for some time. We still continue to pay the operational costs of this facility. This is one of the items that have been put forward to the government by way of doing an assessment of all of our capital assets that have less than 30 percent occupancy. So we are putting the word out there that we want people to be aware this facility is available. Again, the corporation is definitely looking for someone to let us know if they are interested so we can dispose of this asset so it can be used for other functions besides a care facility.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister provide the House with the reports of the assessments? He mentioned they are doing assessments of less than 30 percent occupancy of those types of facilities that they are responsible for. Would he provide this House with the report within the time frame? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I should be able to acquire that information and get it to the Member so he is aware of other facilities we’re talking about. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to that assessment report from the Minister. Also, would the Minister provide this House with a timetable that he is going to work with the Minister of Health and Social Services in terms of seeing what type of occupancy that the people in Deline can look forward to in terms of occupying that seniors facility and that they can at least have some decisions as to where to go next with that facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 293-15(3): Update On The Seniors Facility In Deline

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in case the Members don’t know, this facility was developed as a long-term care facility for the Sahtu and because the Sahtu is now in the process of establishing their own regional health board, there is still going to be a need for programs and services to be delivered in the Sahtu. So that’s sort of where the discussion is at, that that facility still has the ability to provide services for the Sahtu region. So that’s what the department or the regional health board is open to. That’s sort of the dialogue that has taken place today. We are still open to use that facility for what the purpose was. Thank you.