Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the spring session, the Minister said that Avens had requested an operational review to “look at how they are spending their money to make sure they are getting the dollars being allocated and they are using them to maximum effect.” Has the Minister agreed to fund this review? Mahsi.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Avens is an incredibly important partner. We’re working closely right now with them to look at the different areas where they’re having some financial pressure. One of the things that’s come up is the decrease in revenues and how that’s affecting the overall operations. We’re working closely with Avens to explore these different things, find out what’s happening, and find a way to ensure that they’re getting the money they need and that the money that they’re getting is being spent on the core services that they’re so good at providing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re not funding an operational review at this point in time, but we are working closely with them to do an analysis of their programs or services and the areas that we provide funding. The department flows funding for operations of Avens Manor long-term care facility for the operation of Avens cottages, the operation of the territorial dementia facility through the NWT Health and Social Services Authority. The three groups are working together to figure out how those dollars are being allocated, if it’s enough, if it’s not enough, how we can improve services, and we’re working closely with our partner. This is a partnership, Mr. Speaker. We’re not looking to impose anything on this point. They want to be involved. We want to be involved. We’re working together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Avens Manor and Avens dementia cottages together lost almost $200,000 in the last fiscal year. Granted, that’s less than the year before, but it’s still not a sustainable position for Avens to be in. I would like the Minister to talk about what he thinks the possible solutions are, especially with respect to revenue. Mahsi.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the things we’ve talked about in this House before is looking at the rates that are being charged for different long-term care facilities in the Northwest Territories per bed, but with Avens as an example, we have taken some steps already. Last month, September, the department provided Avens with funding to pay the major loan that has been taken to do some site preparation, so we paid off their $1.1 million loan which is going to help them address some of their costs with respect to paying back that loan but also some of the interest costs on that loan. We are doing things immediately. We are trying to help them address some of their pressures. Some of the things are going to take a little bit more time, but we’re working with them to identify where they feel some changes need to be made and how we can work together to make sure that Avens continues to be sustainable in the long-term. Thank you.

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government’s spending is approximately equivalent to 52 per cent of our GDP. That’s $3.854 billion. This compares to, let’s take a province in Canada: Ontario, our largest. Their government spending amounts to 20 per cent of GDP, so clearly our government has a huge role in this economy. A lot of that comes out of procurement of these contracts. I’d like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure if he will once again commit to a comprehensive review of our procurement policies on this very important economic driver. Thank you.

Oral questions. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve been on record. I’ve told the Member a number of times in this House, no, I will not review the procurement nature of the department. We’re all working on the mandate of this Legislative Assembly. A number of initiatives fall under my departments, which are directly related to economic development in the Northwest Territories. We’re pushing on those mandate items and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought ahead of the mid-term review, I might gain some more traction on this issue. It’s true, the Minister does have a number of mandate commitments, but procurement is an ongoing issue of every government and doesn’t need a specific mandate commitment especially when the concerns are out there.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister about prompt payment. Prompt payment is a practice for businesses who are required to agree to fair and reasonable terms of their suppliers, ensures suppliers’ invoices are approved and paid within agreed terms, and to encourage the adoption of the same practices through their supply chain. Is the Minister aware of this concept and does the department practice it? Thank you.

Oral questions. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I’m well aware of the department’s mandate to do prompt payment. I believe most of the payments, not always because there are always circumstances around every challenging one that comes forward but we’re supposed to pay within 20 days of receipt of an invoice and that’s what we will continue to do as a department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, our government is on the ball on this. It’s more about the suppliers, people down on the supply chain. We enter into very large contracts, so prompt payment is an important issue as we move down the supply chain. Mr. Speaker, the Ontario government is now considering prompt payment legislation that will create a prompt payment regime and require a mandatory adjudication of certain disputes within construction. Is the Minister familiar with this legislation and is he reviewing our own legislation in light of that? Thank you.

Oral questions. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I am not aware of the legislation Ontario is proposing to move forward, but if the Member wants to share that with me, I’m glad to have a look at it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.