Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During the review of the 1991-92 Capital Estimates the Standing Committee on Finance recommended that nurses' accommodations follow the general territorial staff housing policies. The purpose of this recommendation was to save money through not building special nurses' residences. During the current review, Members noted that several health units were being renovated, and what was previously nurses' accommodation, was being converted for other uses. Members explained that perfectly adequate accommodation existed for nursing staff and should not be changed just for the sake of change. Again, the goal is to save money through a pooling of staff accommodation resources, not to spend additional money.
In recognition of the capital improvement made to the Inuvik General Hospital by the federal government prior to the health transfer, the territorial government agreed not to ask Canada for assistance in replacing this facility prior to 1996-97. Both parties did agree that this facility would be replaced with a facility would result in not decrease the level of service to below that provided at the time of transfer. The facility would be funded in the majority by Canada, based on the ratio of status Indians and Inuit to the total population in the hospital catchment area.
Members expressed concern that planned funding was not budgeted until 1996-97 and so construction would not start until 1998-99 at the earliest.