In my statement earlier today I referred to the fact of many of the problems that have been happening over there. Will the Minister of Finance, through his channels, through the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, work to ensure and certainly enshrine the issues that I’ve highlighted, that we want a system that is safe, respectful, positive and definitely commits to doing referrals? Because right now the John Howard sees they’re meeting their objectives by just having the door open. Unfortunately, I think that there are a lot more steps required: safety, staff free of abuse, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I reminded the House, and I will continue to remind the House, that I am a very strong supporter of the downtown day shelter. I can tell you many businesses as well as downtown residents support the principles of why the downtown day shelter exists. This is why I continue this issue with the Minister of Health and Social Services, to raise the awareness, but also ensure that it’s a safe, respectful and positive environment.

The lofty goals set out by the department, of course, were very simple. As I read earlier today: a warm, safe place...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue a discussion today on the downtown day shelter. Back in my December 13th Member’s statement and questions, I asked the government about its intention to extend the much needed services that are provided by the downtown day shelter to people who are homeless. In the Minister’s reply he talked about the department’s intention to continue that partnership with the City of Yellowknife, but he also continues to go on in the context of once the review is done, they will continue that funding.

It’s no surprise to anyone in this House, and certainly the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize a couple of visitors here in the gallery today. Mr. Sean Ivens and his wife Rhonda Ivens are visiting us in the gallery. Mr. Ivens, as many of you know, is the president of Advanced Medical Solutions. That is a northern company here. It provides medical and certainly medevac services for people in the NWT and, as well, in the Kitikmeot region. Finally, I have known Sean for 35 years and because of the miracles and wonders of science, we are still both 25 years old. Hello, Mr. Ivens.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be remiss to not point this out, but it’s my understanding the contract has not been drawn up yet. It’s my understanding the contract has not been fully developed yet, because, of course, the three-year ongoing initial pilot project has not expired yet. I just want to make sure it’s on the record here one way or the other. Has the contract been fully renewed at this particular time? My understanding is that it has not, but let’s get that clarity for the House. Thank you.

I had previously requested a copy of this evaluation; however, I was only given a bit of a summary as to the objectives. I still have that outstanding request, and that’s very important to the principles of supporting this day shelter initiative, because we have to know what we’re supporting. I mean, it’s great we support the principles, but will the Minister provide me and perhaps even the Standing Committee of Social Programs a copy of this report done on the day shelter so that we can get down to the root problems and try to solve some of them? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that committee reports progress.

---Carried

That still leaves the outstanding question as to when can we expect that type of result to be publicly delivered. These outfitters are sitting, waiting patiently. Their outfitting lodges are in mothballs. You know, they still have to pay the mortgages and they’re sitting there without any revenue. They’ve been sitting patiently a long time as partners to this problem. When can we expect that type of answer to be delivered?

Will the Minister commit to do this and report back to the House on his particular activities as well as report to standing committee? Because this is an active issue and many Northerners care. Will he make that commitment? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Member Groenewegen picking up on this medevac issue. The Minister, earlier today in some of my questions, had pointed out that his department has no involvement and no role, so all that boils down to is simply that it’s none of NWT’s business. But the fact is, medevacs landing safe in a good way, in a timely way in Alberta are very important and we should be having an active role. We’re really faced with a complexity here. We can either be driving the bus on this issue, we can be behind the bus on this issue, or we can take the Minister’s approach, which...