Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am still adjusting to my new role and I will work on that. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased when the Minister of Social Services informed me that her regional office is now negotiating with this Inuit corporation to run the facility. However, Ms. Inutiq tells me that the department says they cannot go above a price which is about $100,000 less than the best bare-bones price for the quality care this corporation insists must be provided to our elders.
Since training costs are a significant part of the costs of this contract, especially in the first two years of operation, I will be approaching the Minister of Education to see whether the newly announced community training program of his department, the student financial assistance program or other programs might be available to this corporation to reduce their initial costs.
Today, I will be asking the Minister of Social Services for a status report on this important project in my constituency and for her commitment to support a quality program for the elders of Iqaluit. Qujannamiik.