Merci, Monsieur le President. As the Member whose riding has the new Stanton Territorial Hospital, I am welcoming the new facility, which officially opened yesterday, to Frame Lake.

The Minister of Health and Social Services has provided statements on the new Stanton Territorial Hospital and its many features and attributes, and even today in his Minister's statement, as well. I will not repeat these, but I would like to focus on a few key areas and improvements.

First of all is the space. The 280,000-square-foot new building approximately doubles the size of the old Stanton Hospital. Operating and emergency rooms are twice the size. There are 50 percent more beds. All patients will be in private rooms, proven to improve and speed recovery. Interiors are open and airy, with all the rooms facing the exterior of the building to maximize the natural light, also proven to promote healing.

The new Stanton hospital also includes more culturally inclusive spaces. There is a meditation room or "sacred space" designed to simulate a glass-enclosed half-teepee and equipped with ventilation to allow for traditional smudging ceremonies. Northern and traditional foods in an expanded cafeteria and interior designs keyed to northern landscapes provide a northern feel to the hospital care.

People who want a closer look at the facility and its features can go to the Stanton renewal website to see photos, videos, and diagrams and, as the Minister said, there will be an official ceremony later this summer.

The redevelopment of the old Stanton Hospital will also benefit NWT residents. There has already been an announcement of 18 extended-care and 72 additional long-term care beds, and specialized services and programs are expected to occupy the renovated space.

This major investment in the health and well-being of our citizens represents the biggest social development expenditure development of our term. I would have preferred to see this as a government-owned asset, not a P3 project. However, with the facility now open, I want to congratulate the Minister, the project team, and all the facility staff for their hard work in this immense contribution to the quality of life for NWT citizens. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.