Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I would like to speak on a specific item on the Minister's opening statement. It speaks to a specific project, but I am going to make it into a general comment because it is included in his statement, Madam Chair. That has to do with an item in the budget for the dementia centre. Madam Chair, I just want to thank the Minister very much. I don't mind being effusive and being totally shamelessly thanking the Minister for moving this project forward. Madam Chair, I just want to say that.

All the Yellowknife Members here know, especially the ones such as Mr. Braden who has been here at the same time as me, this has been on the books for a long time. Even as of last summer, I couldn't really respond to a senior who said I don't think I am ever going to see this project get off the ground. I know that all of the Yellowknife MLAs have been working really hard to make this project happen. But I could tell you from sitting where I was as a chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, it really wasn't until the Minister got on board that he really looked at the project. After one or two briefings, he really came to a position on what he wanted to do with it. He set boundaries and directions. He put staff into it to have them look at it. He has made a lot of incremental decisions to make it happen. I just want to acknowledge that. I know lots of other Ministers here do a lot of good work. I think when the good work gets done, it should be acknowledged.

This facility is not just for Yellowknife. It is something that is going to be more and more needed as we go forward. You know that the dementia and other conditions related to that is something that is becoming more and more common. This is going to be a territorial facility that will serve all of the seniors in the Territories, but unfortunately as the numbers grow, we are going to be able to use that expertise and to enhance programs in regional centres. Already in Hay River and I believe in Fort Simpson and Fort Smith, services for our elders with a minor form of dementia are being serviced there. I know that the territorial dementia centre is only a start. We, as a government, have to prepare years down the road to serve our residents who are going to need our service more and more. I think we owe it to the Minister for taking it on last fall and really looking at it closely, looking at numbers and what was happening and really took control of it and put it through the Cabinet in a way that was affordable to the government. More importantly, he has been able to bring partners into the process.

Let me just say I know the Minister didn't do it all by himself. We have to thank our private partners, Diavik and, in particular, Mr. Zelinski who has really stepped forward in a big way. I do understand that the details have to be worked out, but I think we really need to acknowledge the fact that you could have lots of players wanting to do a lot of good, but you do need somebody in the middle, in the centre, who takes on the leadership role and makes everybody do what is right in the interests of the total project. I just want to take a moment to thank the Minister for what he has done and for the seniors of not only Yellowknife but the Territories. I have said enough to secure this for the next budget as well, but the big number is coming in the next Legislature. So thank you so much.