Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Other than recommendations from the NWT Home and Community Care report dated September 26, 2019, I have not seen, in support of its intent to reduce the number of long-term beds for Hay River, a substantive action plan from the department that establishes how it will achieve effective homecare for Hay River or throughout the NWT. As it stands now, there are no additional dollars, infrastructure, or identified staff increases to support that objective.
Mr. Speaker, the argument for reducing the number of beds for Hay River is weak at best. I would recommend that the department stay on track and complete the 48-bed facility in Hay River. If other communities, such as Fort Smith, require additional beds, then let us look at making that happen in the near future, but not at the expense of Hay River and the surrounding communities that we serve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.