Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a few comments, at least five points I want to raise, just to highlight.

First of all, I think this department is the biggest department and, of course, the most challenged

because you are dealing with very core, primary issues related to the health and well-being of people. Obviously, it comes to how programs and services are carried out and delivered. At the receiving end of the services the government provides are people, people who live in large centres, regional centres, cities, but for the most part in small and remote communities.

That being said, there are major initiatives that have come across in Fort Providence, at least, one of four communities that I represent, is the new health centre. I know the foundation is complete and things are steaming forward. There’s a reprieve at this time and I understand contrition is likely to begin in the new fiscal year.

In small communities we’re challenged with infrastructure and buildings that can be available that can be converted and provide a service to another sector of the population, whether it's youth or elderly care programs. So I hope there is a dialogue that has been done with the local communities in terms of looking at some options on how the old health centre can be procured and its fate decided at some point. I encourage the department, if there is dialogue going on, to maintain that dialogue. Don’t discount the people at the local level. For the most part, we’re challenged to find buildings to house programs and services and offices.

The other point I wanted to make is in terms of the regional health boards. I know there are some cost-saving measures. This is the biggest department and has the biggest budget. It carries the highest expenditures, so we have to look at ways of curbing expenditures and, at the same time, being very efficient with what we have and make the best use of it. That’s the price of democracy, ensuring people from the regional centres and communities do have input and continue to at least have a major say in how programs and services are delivered in regions and communities.

That being said, if indeed we go down the path of restructuring boards, what we’re basically doing in this government is walking away for a template of a regional model that could serve as the basis of self-government when First Nations go down the line of achieving the status of making their own decisions.

That point being made, seniors, in terms of their care, is a growing concern. Most seniors want to continue living in their homes for as long as they can. Either themselves, if they are independent enough, or with their children and grandchildren. Sometimes policies don’t consider that. We have to be mindful that we have different cultures and different expectations, and at the same time, we have an obligation to service the needs of people. Once again, if there is a possibility of looking at the fate of the old health centre in Fort Providence and converting it into a long-term care facility for seniors

as our population of elders grow in most communities, then by all means, let’s explore the possibility.

The other point that I wanted to make is I think this government has been a major precedence, it has responded, it’s doing something. With the on-the-land program, I think the government has responded and it’s good. What it tells me and the people in the communities is that we have developed a culturally appropriate model to address the addictions problems in our communities, whether it’s drugs or alcohol. We are trying to at least create a system so that people can make decisions for themselves in terms of making a choice of living a healthy and well lifestyle.

I think that’s a major precedent that we’ve set for ourselves. I‘m hoping at some point there will be advances to ensure we invoke practices such as allowing traditional foods in hospitals for elders. I think that’s the next step in developing culturally appropriate programs and services.

The other point I want to want to make is with Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre. I think it was widely known that there was a lot of disappointment and disbelief in terms of the only addictions centre in the NWT. We’ve kind of repositioned the priorities in advancing the on-the-land programs. There again, I don’t know what’s going to happen with that building. I know there’s been some discussion with the local First Nation in terms of the use of the building and ensuring that it’s available, whether it’s for programs and services, and not just abandoned but put to the best use by local people of the K’atlodeeche First Nation.

The other point in the same instance is this government, of course, has made advances, again how great leadership in establishing the Anne Buggins Wellness Centre. That was a great achievement and I was very pleased to see that. They had a very nice ceremony. From what I see there, it’s an establishment of the GNWT working to wrangle their jurisdictions of layers of policies and procedures that sometimes become a hindrance in delivering quality programs and services to people on the reserve. I encourage the department to continue advancing to ensure that we determine very good programs and services delivered on the reserve. I think that’s doable and I encourage the department to keep on working with the communities.

Those are just some of my comments today. I am reminded of the statement I made today on child poverty. That’s a very strong hindrance in trying to promote advancement and well-being of children. It’s a big issue that a big portion of our population is stagnant. It’s not growing; it’s not declining. I think as we look to the future, our children are our future and we need to do our best to ensure we have programs and services available to families so they

succeed either in education or advancement of careers and making their homes in the NWT.

Those are just some of the points I had, Mr. Chair. Mahsi.