Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to those meetings, staff from the department did reach out to a number of stakeholders in Yellowknife. There was a meeting. They had an opportunity to share what different organizations are doing within the community. I had an opportunity to speak, myself, to the mayor and talk about the concept of supporting Yellowknife to become a seniors-friendly community. I think there is a lot of room that we can do there.

There is another meeting scheduled for February 21^st to see where we can go based on what we have heard and what we have been able to compile. Like the Members, I am getting a little frustrated on the timeline here. I feel like it is taking too long. There are competing demands, but I have told the department that I hope to see some concrete results out of that February 21^st meeting. Otherwise, we will go to a different plan, as we discussed with the Members. I think it was the honourable Member for Frame Lake who suggested that, if we can't find an option, we just need to do it in-house. We all agreed that wasn't the best solution, but if we don't get some solid results out of the 21^st, it may well turn out to be the solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When we went with the Yellowknife MLAs, we explored a number of options, and we pretty much, I think, came to the conclusion that going out for an RFP was off the table, but it was suggested that we reach out to a number of different groups and figure out if there is an opportunity to partner together, building on the strengths that exist in a number of the NGOs, the municipality, and the government so that we could partner on a solution.

That is what we have been exploring since that time. There has been some progress, but I am really hoping that, on February 21^st, as I have already said, we will get a concrete direction. If not, I am prepared to go down the route that the honourable Member from Frame Lake suggested, which is the in-house option.

I would have more comfort in that answer if the Minister would make a commitment to offer it in-house within a specified time frame. I think we have waited long enough.

I am hoping to get some concrete direction on the 21^st from our partners working together in a collaborative way. If that does not happen, I am prepared to bring it in-house.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister to tell us whether there is money to offer the program in-house in the next budget, the one for the next fiscal year, or whether he is prepared to obtain funding through a supplementary appropriation? Mahsi.

I don't think this is a surprise to the Member. We had money to go out for an RFP to deliver this service. We still have those dollars available for us. We will use those dollars to deliver a program in-house. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. The time for oral questions has expired. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to the Commissioner's opening address. Item 12, replies to budget address. Item 13, petitions. Item 14, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 15, tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife Centre.