R.J. Simpson

Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report progress and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

I will now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

It's good to hear that there is a plan to expand, that they're looking forward at that. What I'm hearing is that the H.H. Williams site, I'm hearing it referred to as a site, not the building, so I imagine that the building is not going to be on this site when it's expanded into. There’s been some apprehension to utilize this building, and there's a lot of people in town who want to use this. There's lots of needs and we just don't have the space. People have been coming to me wondering what's going on with that building. I'm just wondering why the government is averse to using it. Are the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the long-term care bed situation in Hay River. Earlier the Minister of Finance mentioned that the Woodland Manor expansion, as we call it, is going through. I have some questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. This might be more of a public works question, but I think the Minister probably can answer it. I was wondering what the status of this project is? We know it's going through, but when is construction scheduled to start? When is it expected to finish? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister stated that he's aware that there's some major problems with that facility. My question is: if the government can’t help renovate that facility, if it's beyond repair, if it needs a new building, is the department prepared to help provide that building or are they willing to let this service just disappear from the community?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the situation that the Family Support Centre in Hay River is facing, and I have some questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services in that regard. I stated that the shelter is underfunded, not just in general, but in comparison to other shelters in the territory. There doesn't seem to be any sort of funding formula based on beds, based on needs or anything like that. I'd like to ask the Minister, does he plan on coming up with some sort of formula so we can adequately fund all of the shelters? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was speaking of the wraparound services and up to four-week waiting times to receive counselling. In addition, victims are often forced to return to abusive relationships because of homelessness, poverty, problems securing housing, employment, and lack of daycare. Mr. Speaker, obviously two and a half minutes is not enough time to address all these issues, but I just want to make sure that this government and the public are aware of this dire situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For my final question, I just want to ask if the building can't be saved and this non-profit can't continue doing their work, what's the government's plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm glad to hear that there's work started on that. Given that these shelters are NGOs; they're non-profits; they're not government-run facilities. The buildings they're in are owned by the non-profit, so in the case of the Family Support Centre in Hay River, they're in need of major renovations. Frankly, they're probably in need of a new building. Given this big capital cost, does the Minister and his department have any plans to provide any funds for physical infrastructure, either to improve or building a new building for the shelter?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my constituent and my constituent assistant Anne Peters. Thank you.