Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement, I talked about the need for a wellness centre in the Sahtu region. I know the Members have been asking for this for a bit. I would ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if there was ever a report or study done on small communities in terms of facilities in small communities or regions that don’t have a facility like other regions that have facilities like the wellness centre.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for the question and point that he has raised. Mr. Speaker, with respect to a report, it is my understanding that there was a report done a number of years ago for internal use only. We don’t have a most recent report done on health care facilities in the Sahtu or the Territories. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to share what she can in terms of the internal report on the types of facilities that are required in small regions? If not, will she be looking at working with the Sahtu Regional Health Board in terms of looking at the needs for such a facility in our region?
My understanding is that report is quite outdated. I think the point that the Member is raising is very valid. We do not have the comprehensive report on the capital or facility needs of the Territories in terms of health and social service related capital projects. I think it is one that we need to develop. I have instructed the officials to look into that. I certainly understand that we need to catch up on the work on the capital needs in the Sahtu. I will be happy to make a commitment to the Member that I will work with him and the health board in Sahtu, work toward this initiative. Thank you.
I certainly appreciate the Minister’s willingness to work with the regional health board for the people in the Sahtu. Now that we have some indications from the federal government in terms of funding from the housing initiatives, I know we have a certain amount of time to use this funding. Would the Minister be able to work closely with the Housing Minister to see what possibilities are out there in terms of facilities that are needed desperately in the Sahtu in regards to facilities that I’m asking for?
The Member from Sahtu has raised issues for capital projects in terms of a health facility in Colville Lake, regional wellness centre, a seniors facility in Sahtu and so we would have to do some more work to prioritize. We should also look at what the demands and needs are in the Territories for these facilities and prioritize them. Obviously, all of this work would require on my part to work with all of the Cabinet Members as well as the Members of this House. I will certainly be willing to see the Housing Minister to see if there are any funds there to support us from the federal government. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, when I look at the Northwest Territories in terms of health and social services facilities, I see them in different regions. I don’t see anything in the Sahtu in terms of emergency shelters, seniors facilities or regional wellness centres. When I spoke to the regional health board CEO, the priority from the board was a regional wellness health centre. I am saying that we can be creative in terms of looking at funding that could be available because this is a long-term facility. We are looking at other options that we could do within the life of this Assembly. So that is what I am asking. Would the Minister put a dedicated person on file to work with the Sahtu Health Board staff to start identifying the details in terms of what facility could be available in the Sahtu in the future?
I certainly agree with the Member that the Sahtu is probably…and I have to say I haven’t travelled to the Sahtu yet as the Minister of Health and Social Services. I have to go there and see for myself, but my understanding is that Sahtu is one without a long-term care facility for seniors, for example. I know that the health facility in Norman Wells was one that was transferred from the federal government and it is very aged. I will make the commitment to see what we have in Sahtu and work with him and the board to see how we prioritize the needs in the Sahtu and put it into the process. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
