Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I am glad to hear that there are four additional communities going to the subsidy list and then also some capital to increase the program delivery. My second question, Mr. Speaker, is the Premier willing to invite Ms. Bennett so we can have some discussions with the community-based leaders that are fully engaged in the interests of the home-growing program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my statement is in regards to the Nutrition North program, a federal initiative. It is, in all principles, a great program addressing the high cost of living in our small, northern, remote communities. However, with local, agricultural, home growers subsidizing the recipients of the program, it creates an advantage for larger retailers.

Mr. Speaker, currently the program is under public engagement process. Nutrition North reviews include town hall meetings, interviews, public input through the media between May and November 2016 to seek public input on suggestions...

Looking at the logistics of opening the doors for this facility, as the Member knows the whole Sahtu region is approached in two land ways: either by barge or by the winter road. So if we're going to open the doors to this facility next year about this time, we've got actually two options of access for heavy building material, trailer material for accommodations, large pieces of equipment over the winter road, and the secondary final option is during the next coming barging season. So I urge the Minister to see if we can get the transitional document made available? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned in my Member's statement here, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. My understanding, the Norman Wells Sahtu Regional Health Facility is going to create in the neighbourhood of 45 positions. Which positions are we expecting outside of what we have there already and the recruitment advertising plan for those extra positions coming into that facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think I heard we're going to create 17 positions, so let's use that number.

---Laughter

Dating back to May the 3rd, there was some correspondence going between ourselves with the Minister's office here on the transition plan, and that plan was supposed to be made available or is going to be made available this fall, all these questions are going to be redirected with the contents of the transitional plan for the new facility. Mr. Speaker, my question is: when we can expect the transitional plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, my statement is in regard to the Sahtu Regional Health Centre, a long-term care facility in Norman Wells, a building very much needed and welcomed by the local community and surrounding communities. Mr. Speaker, we had the opportunity to tour this facility back in March 2016, and I thank the Minister and the Minister's staff at the regional and territorial level for arranging this tour. The facility is approximately 4,000 square footage, with 18 beds.

Mr. Speaker, the new facility will have approximately 45 positions to deliver services. Once the facility is in...

Can I expect, for the Sahtu region, a regional medical travel coordinator to make travel arrangements and accommodations arrangements for patients from the Sahtu?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned earlier in my Member's statement here on the new system coming into place for the health and healthcare services reform, I understand that the territorial and regional councils have met and I'm just wondering if the Minister could elaborate? Taking into account it's only been nearing three months of operations, what can we expect for the remainder of this fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question. I'm very glad to hear that the Minister's going to be cooperative. We all have the heart of reform, better care, and to approve efficiencies where we can. So I look forward to hearing from the Minister on progress reports on the operations of the coordinated travel for any of the members or the senior members going to the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.