Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Sandy Lee. I would like to thank the Minister for her recent visit to Hay River and her tour of all of the facilities that fall within her department in Hay River. We had a good look around at things. I have heard my colleague talking about some of the working conditions and structural conditions at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Of course, I can’t fail to mention that we have some huge infrastructure challenges with the hospital located in Hay River. Now the Minister has had a chance to have a first-hand look at those. I would like to, first of all, ask the Minister if the $14 million capital carry-over that was identified in the last government’s budget for as a class of an estimate for either redevelopment or renovation of our health facility in Hay River is still on the books today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Return To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to, first of all, thank the Member and yourself for the invitation to visit Hay River facilities. I had a well programmed, productive visit to Hay River a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I did visit the facility. With respect to the capital program, Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that project was in the books as a renovation project in the last budget for 2008 and 2009. Since then, with the work of the public administrator, there is a need to look at that as more of a new capital project. That is what is in the works. We are going through the capital planning process, so there has been a change to the nature of that project, but it is not defined yet. It is in flux stage yet and we are reviewing all of the capital projects as a Cabinet, I believe, in the days coming. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Okay, I am not liking that word flux stage, Mr. Speaker. We had a $14 million capital commitment from this government for either the renovation or replacement of the hospital in Hay River. Has the decision definitely been made that we are talking about a replacement versus a renovation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess a flux is not a good word in the capital planning process. I am sorry. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that project was in the books as a renovation project. It is moving toward being a new facility just because some parts of that building are about 40 years old and other parts are about 30 years old. There is a review being done as to whether or not it is more economical to make it into a new capital building or renovate. I think the information I am getting is that we are moving towards it being a new capital project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, that helps. So we are leaning away from renovation towards a new facility. Is our $14 million still there as at least a starting point? If we change it from a renovation to a replacement, where do we go in the capital plan? Do we go back to the drawing board? Do we go back to square one or do we still have that capital carry-over of $14 million at least as a base start? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the project is reviewed as either a renovation or a new capital project, the cost-benefit analysis changes because you have to look at the lifetime cost and such. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, let me just make a commitment with the Members to give her and yourself more information about where it is at. I just don’t have that detailed information that the Member is asking for just now. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Might I say that I will not be very happy if we are going back into the line-up for capital projects, not considering that we are talking about Fort Smith, Yellowknife and all of these competing interests for capital dollars. I want to make sure that Hay River stays at the front of the line on this. I would like to ask the Minister’s commitment on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will make my commitment to work my best to make sure that it doesn’t stay on the back of the line. I just don’t know exactly what part of the front line it is at. I will provide the information to the Member. I just can’t remember which year it is at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.