Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the Member. I’ve been to Aklavik many a time, but I didn’t have the opportunity to visit the Joe Greenland Centre until my recent visit there in May. I want to tell you that the department is very well aware of the demographic trend of the NWT population, which is in line with the rest of Canada. It says that the biggest growth over the next ten to 20 years will be with our elderly or older population because baby boomers are aging, and they’re going to live longer and healthier. The community of Aklavik’s demographics follow that line. I’m told that there are a lot fewer births and young children and they’re a more aging population, and we need to make sure that we are planning for that.

The Joe Greenland Centre, as it was built and as it’s operating, is not suitable for a long term care facility. I am working with the department to see how we could plan for the future of Aklavik and address the need for independent senior housing units there, because a long-term care facility needs to be 24-7. It’s a lot more labour intensive, and that’s taken care of in Inuvik. I’m willing to look at Aklavik.