Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision to change services, not shut down the Joe Greenland Centre -- just for the record, provided by the Joe Greenland Centre -- was a GNWT decision. It is a complex decision as the Joe Greenland Centre was built in 1977, more than 30 years ago when it was customary to admit seniors into care with low-level needs. Today, Mr. Speaker, seniors

with low-level needs can and are able to remain at home or in elders housing and receive the care they need from home support workers. In addition, the Joe Greenland Centre does not provide care to the level necessary to meet the needs of long-term care residents. The centre was never designed, equipped or staffed to meet the complex care needs of long-term care residents who require levels 3 to 5 care.

Mr. Speaker, seniors who require level 1 and 2 care can age at home with extended family or accommodated in elders housing and be supported by their loved ones with home care support as required. What we are trying to do here, Mr. Speaker, and what we are doing will keep our elders in communities longer.

I just want to speak a little bit about what we have planned for Joe Greenland Centre programming. The Department of Health and Social Services has been working with the NWT Housing Corporation on a transition plan for the Joe Greenland Centre. The department is transitioning from full-time care programming only for the residents on the west wing to a day program, and expanded home care to support all Aklavik seniors as required. The focus on community independent living and day programming will ensure services are available for all elders in Aklavik to help them maintain wellness and independence as long as possible. The Housing Corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services will continue with the efforts to support community programs for elders in the Joe Greenland building. These programs may involve the use of the building’s common area for the elders day program and continued access to the common area, kitchen and specialized breathing equipment within the building.

The Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority will continue to operate the elders day program out of the Joe Greenland Centre. The elders day program is presently available to all elders in the community through home care enhancement plans for 2010-11. There are plans to use the common area and kitchen to provide a lunch program for elders. The health authority will consult with elders on what the day programs would best offer to meet the widest needs, including the elders lunch program.

The Beaufort-Delta authority will also ensure that 50 percent of $779,000 of current Joe Greenland Centre funding is maintained for provision of home care and supported living services in the community of Aklavik. Residents in the independent living side will continue to receive home care and weekly nurse visits provided through the authority.

There is currently only one full-time home support worker position in Aklavik. Two additional home support worker positions will be added, increasing the staffing to three home support workers for

Aklavik. This will provide more capacity for Aklavik’s home support program to provide home support services to elders. These types of programs continue the independence of elders by offering needed care, support, nutritious meals and opportunities for socialization and recreation. These enhancements will support more seniors and elders to continue to live independently at home.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, Beaufort-Delta authority staff have been working with the two remaining residents and their families to determine appropriate placement. As well, the authority, with the support of the Department of Human Resources, have met with the staff and we are committed to retaining and retraining the workers. Every effort will be made to place affected staff in suitable positions.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, through the Foundation for Change, we will enhance continuing care to ensure that clients across the NWT receive consistent quality care and enter the continuum through a coordinated referral and assessment process; Northerners have access to home care when they need it, and Northerners have fair and consistent access to long-term care no matter where they live.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I need to say, as this motion is a recommendation to the government, Cabinet will be abstaining from the vote. Thank you.