The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am aware of the circumstances of this particular case, and I am aware that it has taken some time to get all of the various parties together. I am also aware that in fact the accommodation will be ready for occupancy I believe this week. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee. Thank you. Next on the list I have the Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

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

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as far as I am aware, we have made a commitment to free up some funding to allow that planning to proceed. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

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

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Do they have the money in their hands as of today? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there has been an agreement reached between the Department of Health and Social Services and the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors on this project, but it is a cash flow issue. As far as I am aware, there is an agreement signed and that the chair is aware of it and that the deputies work directly with these folks and these matters are in hand. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

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

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's my understanding that this money is tied to other money. So

is this agreement binding that the GNWT will eventually come forward with this money, because, as I understood this, clearly they needed this planning money in the fall, and this community organization is willing to take out a mortgage and they are willing to fundraise for this facility. They need some money to move forward. So is this agreement binding and is it tied to anything so they keep waiting for it? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is planning money. We've been working with YACCS over the last couple of years to move this project along. It's tied into a broader facilities plan to deal with the cognitively impaired and long-term care resources required across the North. At this point, we've committed to the planning dollars. There have been suggestions about how it could be financed, but there's clearly more work that has to be done. It also has to be taken through due process once the design and everything is agreed to. There is a process that has to be followed with the committees and Cabinet to in fact be able to do that, but we've committed to the resources to help them continue the planning. We're committed to seeing this process through, and it figures into our broader planning for long-term care. Thank you.