Debates of October 19, 2006 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today, as well as on many other occasions, I speak about the need to ensure that we have a territorial dementia centre built sooner rather than later. Mr. Speaker, it is a serious concern that I have that there may not be funding in this upcoming capital budget plan for our next budget fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is, what is the current status of the territorial dementia centre facility that is supposed to be a partnership between the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors and his department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I met with YACCS a couple of weeks ago and indicated to them that the dementia facility is not in the ‘07-08 capital plan. It is on our list should there be any new money that comes available, along with a number of other projects. We continue to do the work. There was $1 million allocated to the dementia facility planning last year. That money has not been fully expended. In fact, it’s only been partially expended. So we are continuing to look at that. We have been in contact with YACCS. We are going to be much more actively involved to work with YACCS in terms of the scope of the project. We will keep the need clearly identified and make sure it stays on our business plan request for the coming year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister was in the House yesterday when our Finance Minister gave his statistical update. Mr. Speaker, I know he must have heard the Finance Minister say we had $18 million higher than our original projection. So what is the Minister doing about putting this dementia centre up on the priority list? What is he doing to knock down, kick down at whatever, get that door off to speak to that Finance Minister to make this project a real go? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been going through the business planning process, the capital planning process. The Minister of Finance gave a statement in the House about the fiscal update. He indicated that there is a requirement to have a certain amount of surplus to be able to fund our capital infrastructure. The money that was in the budget, the money was fully subscribed to. We have a much longer list of projects than we have resources. It is on our list should new money come available, but at this time there has been no money added to the capital budget and that is the reality as far as I know. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to hear the Minister’s list of priorities, because I am not sure we have another need out there that demands such a high priority as our dementia facility. We need to be treating people in a proper facility suited to this specific need. Will the Minister tell me today, where are his priorities on this facility in comparison to any other priorities? Is it the top priority of his department to get this dementia facility built in a timely way in the city of Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to point out to the Member that this is not just a list of health projects, but there is a government-wide list of a whole host of projects that are important, not only to Yellowknife but to communities all around the Northwest Territories. Our decision is to focus on Stanton, as we have indicated to committee, as well as a potential to move on to the consolidated clinic.

The dementia facility clearly is on our to-do list but, for the funding that was available for this year, the focus is on those two particular projects in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say this with respect both to the Minister and other departments, but I don’t really care about other departments when I talk about the Health Minister. I want to hear about the Health Minister’s priorities. I know other Ministers will be kicking on the Finance Minister’s door if they heard there was one single dollar available for any of their projects or programs. I would like to hear from the Minister. With respect to other departments, like I say, I don’t care about that. I want to hear about the facility for the dementia centre. What is he doing to kick down that door to say I heard there is some loose money out there somewhere in a surplus, let’s do something with it that will have real needs. So what is the Minister doing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 133-15(5): Territorial Dementia Facility Centre Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of any loose change within the context of our entire fiscal circumstance. I have outlined to the Member the process and where the facility stands. There is also many other critical projects out there. The dementia facility has just come into the capital plan this year. It’s now on there and we will continue to move it forward in the coming business planning cycle. Thank you.