Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we can provide the timeline and the cost estimates within two weeks. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be on the Territorial Treatment Centre. I take note that the Minister says the Yellowknife Members reject the decision made, and the arguments made, by his ministry to move this. It was based on political decisions and not facts or science of any sort. Why does this Minister not show any type of leadership, by leaving the TTC established here in Yellowknife? Why does he not open up a new branch in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I am showing political leadership in the decision that has been made and the steps we are taking to see that it is implemented. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Time for question period has expired; however, I will allow the Member short, follow-up questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I see from this side of the House is boldness to move this over there. I see brash decisions. Frankly, I see nothing that has gone out to Yellowknife Members, or anyone on this side of the House, to say why we can't establish two or three of these things. If there is a need there, no one is questioning that. If there is a need there, establish one. Don't take it away from the community that has a need and fills it. Why doesn't the Minister think ahead long

term? Why don't we look at establishing a new facility and program service in Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a territorial program. I have articulated the reasons why. The Member accuses me of being obtuse, clouded vision, clouded ethics. The phrase that comes to mind is, "There is none so blind as those who will not see."

---Laughter

I believe we've made a good decision that is plain for all people to see, except the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to say that I am glad the Minister finds this funny, because I don't.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister hasn't given us any reasons. He's just said we've made it; thank you. Tell us the facts and why you cherry picked the Territorial Treatment Centre over any other one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not an amusing situation, I can assure the Member. We are not cherry picking. We did this with due consideration and contemplation that required frank discussion. Now we have made a decision and we are acting on it, and it will be in the best interest of all people in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for giving it the attention and sensitivity that it finally deserves and respects. It is not a laughing matter. I heard the Minister say he took due consideration. Why did he not take due consideration in evaluating the options of opening up a new facility in Hay River, rather than rip out the one that has been established and running well here in Yellowknife for a number of years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are not ripping out anything. We are moving with due, careful and measured consideration with reasons that are sound, both programmatic-wise, as well as fiscally. It meets the broader objectives of the Northwest Territories and the Government of the Northwest Territories, in terms of having service delivery spread out across the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Time for oral questions has expired. Item 7, written questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my written questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

1. How many Northerners suffering from emotional and mental difficulties are currently cared for in northern institutions? How many are under 18, and over 18 years of age?
2. How much did the GNWT spend last year for care of these people?
3. How many northerners suffering from emotional or mental difficulties are currently cared for in southern institutions? How many are under 18, and over 18 years of age?
4. How much did the GNWT spend last year for care of these people?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions.

Thank you. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions. Are there nay nays? There are no nays. We will return to item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.