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.
Mahsi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct, there is no current formula for the funding in the different shelters and all the different shelters; the shelters are funded to different degrees. Currently, we provide about $2.85 million for the shelters across the Northwest Territories. I did have an opportunity to meet with representatives from a number of the shelters in March where we discussed a number of the concerns. One of the things they raised was the fact that there are these additional demands on them, as the Member talked about, and they've submitted a proposal to me for the shelters. They submitted a proposal to me, $20,000 each to help with some of the one-time costs for 2016-17. We're currently looking at that, but at that time they also mentioned their frustration with the lack of a formula. I committed to them at that time and I can reconfirm the commitment here, that I would work with those shelters and the shelters across the Northwest Territories to develop a formula. There's a bit of a timing difficulty on this. We need to wait until we get to one authority. I've committed to them that once we get to one authority we will move forward with the development of a formula. I've asked that they be involved, because it's important to make sure that we get their insight as we're developing a formula. We will be developing one. It might be a year out before we start, but we will get it done in the life of this government.
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?
When I had my meeting with representatives from a number of the shelters in March the Minister responsible for Housing was also there. They have since had a subsequent meeting with the Minister of Housing who has identified the pot of the money available to help do some renovations and upgrades to the shelters across the Northwest Territories. The Minister at the time did ask them, these shelters themselves, to help set some priorities for how to spend these dollars to do maintenance and upgrades to those facilities. It's my understanding, and you may want to check with the Minister, that the Minister's waiting for those shelters to come forward with a list of priorities, which may include renovations to Hay River. We understand that there are some challenges with that facility. That facility may not be… We may not be able to help with the renovations. They may have to consider a different facility. I'm going down to Hay River on June 11th for the opening of the Hay River Regional Hospital. At that time I'm looking forward to having a tour of that facility and have some further discussion with the staff and board for the Hay River facility.
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?
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services funds for the O and M component of the facilities, the Housing Corp. has indicated that they want to work with the shelters, so they're looking for the shelters combined to set some priorities. I'm not sure we would be in a position where we can fund the development of the construction of a complete facility, but we want to be partners on this and it may mean helping identify appropriate locations. I don't know, but first thing we need to do is have the different shelters help identify the priorities. Hay River is participating in that. From there, we'll have a better sense of where we need to go, but I am looking forward to getting a proper tour of the facility in Hay River. They have submitted a one-time proposal for the 2016-2017 fiscal year for $20,000 to help them with some of their costs. I believe those are the increased electrical costs and other costs that the Member has mentioned, and we're looking to support that. We're just trying to find some money within.
Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
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.
Mr. Speaker, the dollars available for the O and M component are going to continue. Hopefully, the organization will be able to find or renovate their building. As I've indicated, the Housing Corp is working with them and has asked them to help set some priorities for the utilization of the money. If it comes to a point where the facility isn't appropriate, we may have to look at other GNWT facilities that we might be able to sell to them for a reasonable price. I'm not 100 per cent sure what's available in Hay River that might fit that need. But we're certainly looking to have those types of discussions. But first and foremost, we really need Hay River and the other shelters to help us set some priorities for these renovation dollars. I believe, and you might not want to quote me on this, you may want to check with the Minister, but it's about $300,000 plus for the 2016-17 fiscal year. So there are some substantial dollars there to help do some renovations of these shelters.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
