Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the kick-off of the Hay River Family Support Centre's fundraising campaign. The event was put on by a great group of volunteers, as well as centre staff who, I'm sure, were more than volunteering at the time. The event included a breakfast by donation, musical performances, face painting, as well as the official unveiling of the Family Support Centre's new branding and Facebook page. It was really quite impressive and a lot of fun.
The reason for the fundraising campaign is one that I've brought up numerous times in this House. The Family Support Centre's previous facility, which was in operation since 1992, is in dire need of replacement. The building can no longer be repaired, and has been closed. The centre is now working out of a temporary space. There are blueprints for a new building on the existing site, but work can't begin until the old building is removed. I am happy to say that the GNWT has stepped up in support of the abatement and demolition of the old site, but the federal funding hasn't come through yet. In the meantime, the centre's board and staff are trying to raise funds for a new building, attempting to expand their outreach, and developing a new shelter renewal plan, all while continuing to carry out their core functions.
I have argued before that the Family Support Centre and the other family violence shelters provide an essential service, yet the funding and support that they receive from the GNWT do not reflect that fact. Just look at how the centres are funded. By the Minister of Health's own admission, they are funded arbitrarily. There is no funding formula, and it has been that way for decades.
Apparently, there is a funding formula in the works, but there is considerable concern about the lack of consultation being done with the shelters in its development. It was nearly a year ago that the Minister announced that the formula would be developed, yet, to date, no one outside the GNWT has seen any progress that I am aware of.
It was 20 years ago that the GNWT began developing guidelines for family violence shelters, but as far as I am aware, they are still in draft form. I am starting to believe that the GNWT doesn't share my view that family violence shelters are an essential service, and I am hoping that they change my mind.
However, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to end this on a negative note. The Family Support Centre in Hay River continues to do good work despite the challenges they face, and the event I attended this weekend gave me great hope for the future. Now we just need to get the government on board. I will have questions for the Minister of Health. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.