Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services made the decision to contract with these specific facilities based in large part on the recommendations of the Minister's war on addictions and community wellness which was initiated by the former Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu. In that report and based on a significant amount of public consultation, the four Members called for addictions treatment programs that are gender-specific, that are trauma-informed, that use Indigenous healing practices, are able to treat current disorders, and that offer lengths of stay and options for extensions.

In addition to those recommendations, Mr. Speaker, the department also made decisions to only use accredited facilities and to ensure that all the facilities that are able to offer a detox, including at least one option for medical detox and opiates, whether it is on site or remotely located but close. Taken together, Mr. Speaker, the four facilities currently under contract are able to provide a mix of these service options in order to meet the diverse and often specialized needs of the NWT population. They also ensure a high level of quality and focus on best practices and are commonly practised among the facilities that we are contracted with, so options, as well, Mr. Speaker.