Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to speak after the Minister has spoken and my colleagues and before the wrap-up here. Mr. Speaker, our elderly are increasing in numbers throughout the NWT and we will be discussing these sorts of topics more and more. I think important perspectives and debate is being brought forward here by my colleagues and I thank them for that. Many of our cultures are facing challenges in retaining their traditions. The absolute strengths of our cultures reside amongst our elders and it is key to keep our elders in our communities as much as possible. To take our elders from our communities only underlines so many of our goals that government has in terms of cultural strength, passing and passing along and retention of traditional knowledge and the life experience our elders have and can speak to and share with the community residents.

The dilemma is, as posed of course, that as our society changes and the expectations rise, we are faced with a desire for standards we can’t always achieve. I think that’s been portrayed by the Minister here today. I support Health and Social Services’ efforts to provide exceptional levels of elder care in the most efficient way in regional centres, and as close to home communities as

possible, and ultimately, hopefully, in home communities.

So I reluctantly, but realistically, believe their action with respect to the Joe Greenland Centre, though poorly executed, is acceptable. Therefore, I will not support this motion. However, Mr. Speaker, many of the concerns raised by Mr. Krutko and Mr. Jacobson are indeed real and important and need to be further recognized and addressed. Therefore, I will not vote against this effort and I’m happy to see them raising these points here today and commit myself to working with my colleagues to maximize ways to keep our elders in communities to the extent possible. Mahsi.