Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a MLA for the Baffin region, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the recent confusion regarding the financing of a new hospital for the Baffin region. Members of the Legislative Assembly from the Baffin region have been hearing many things, some contradictory regarding this issue and I have been very concerned.
For example, has $47 million been committed or is it $25 million? Why do Baffin residents have to pay for their hospital and other regions do not? What does 85 percent federal contribution mean in real dollars? Is the money for renovations or replacement of the 35 year-old hospital? Why has the board said no to private financing or have they? Mr. Speaker, I believe more than anything else all of the stakeholders were suffering from the lack of information and a clear understanding of the complex issues around the financing of the hospital.
I arranged for a meeting with the Baffin MLAs, the Minister of Health and Social Services and his staff in an effort to remedy this as soon as possible and avoid raising public concern unnecessarily. The Minister and his staff answered the many questions put to them by the Baffin MLAs. I also requested Ann Hanson. chair of the Baffin Regional Health Board to come to Yellowknife and meet with the Baffin MLAs to outline the issues and to clarify her concerns. I appreciate the fact that she responded immediately and came to Yellowknife on very short notice.
The meeting in my opinion was very productive. I believe this cooperative effort gave all of us a better picture of the issue and cleared up the misconceptions. We found common ground. After all, Mr. Speaker, we all share the same goal of getting a new hospital for the people of the Baffin region.
Ann Hanson and the Baffin MLAs will work together to prepare a letter to Minister Ng outlining the issues discussed at the meeting and confirm that the Baffin Regional Health Board remains open to all options for financing the Baffin Hospital. Ms Hansen will be discussing this issue when the foundation board meets on October 9th. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the MLAs, Mr. Picco, Mr. Ningark and Mr. Barnabas for helping on this important issue.