Thank you, Mr. Chair. Certainly this department is one of two departments that are the biggest budgets within the GNWT system. At this point there are several projects that have been undertaken. One of them that figures prominently is in Fort Providence, the health centre. I understand that there is a lot of activity in terms of building the foundation and I think that’s on track.
The other area of interest is the Judith Fabien Wellness Centre that was recently opened. I would like to at least have the Minister explain just how it is that that model was reached, because as I understand it, there is a labyrinth or multi-faceted jurisdictions in terms of an Indian reserve under the federal system but within the GNWT. I wanted to see if perhaps that has set precedence for maybe the further advancement of programs and services for the K’atlodeeche First Nation and the reserve.
The other point that I wanted to also touch on is just in terms of the small communities in terms of bringing health care services to them and ensuring that they have access to nurses and access to home care. At least in one of the small communities that I represent, they have expressed an interest in terms of trying to at least bring a level of service to the community. They have been in transition of trying to establish a facility for visiting nurses or practitioners that come into the community to be able to have at least an office of some kind for either treatment or diagnosis.
The other point that I wanted to touch on, of course, is the Nats’ejee K’eh Treatment Centre. I know it’s a fact that it’s closed. I know the other thing that is hinged on that is in terms of development of the on—the-land program. I am certainly interested in terms of the features of the program and how it will figure prominently within the health care system in terms of addressing the very fundamental challenges of alcohol and drugs and the problems that we all have in the NWT. Those are just some key points, if I can have the Minister comment on and clarify at least those points. Mahsi.