Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Each sitting, I ask the Minister about progress on creating an adult day program in Yellowknife, a program for elders to assist them with social inclusion needs and to provide respite for their families. I realize the Minister has looked at various options, but the fact is there is still nothing in place. I note that the department is surveying seniors about their social activities. Can the Minister tell us more about the survey and what its purpose is? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the department is currently conducting a survey of potential stakeholders, potential clients, individuals who have an interest in this area, so that we can get a sense of what type of program the people and the seniors of Yellowknife really want with respect to an adult day program. That survey has gone out. We are shutting that survey down at the end of the month. I expect to have some results forwarded to me and shared with me by the department, at which point we will be able to give some direction on how to move forward.
Timing-wise, we will provide direction in this Assembly, but ultimately, it will be the next Assembly where this rolls out, but we will get that information by the end of the month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the Minister for that answer. What is the Minister expecting for a response rate? What would be, in his view, a statistically valid response?
We have encouraged as many people as possible to fill out the survey. We are getting decent numbers at this point, but we need to see what we get by the end of the month. At this time, I would certainly like to take the opportunity to encourage everybody who hasn't to please get out and fill out that survey to help us design programs that will meet the needs of the residents of Yellowknife.
Can the Minister confirm that there is money available to implement a solution for the adult day program without having to wait for the next budget process?
Yes, there are dollars allocated for this program. We had, obviously, hoped that we would be able to deliver this program almost two years ago, but we have had difficulty getting interest in delivery, but yes, there is money in the budget for this service.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. Is there any chance of action on solutions before this Minister leaves office? Mahsi.
I have been following this file closely. As I indicated, this survey will be completed by the end of this month. I have asked the department to have a summary ready for me to look at. That will probably be in September, at which point we can provide direction on how to move forward. I hope to do that in the life of this Assembly, but at the end of the day, the rollout will be in the next Assembly. Hopefully, there will be a program that meets their needs, meets the needs of this Assembly, meets the needs of the residents, early, very early, in the life of the next government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
