Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the Auditor General's Report on the Stanton Territorial Hospital Project. The report estimates that as of June 2023, the Stanton project's overall costs, which were originally supposed to be $750 million, Mr. Speaker, cost -- which were originally supposed to be 750, I'm sorry about that, are now in the range of $1.21 billion over the next 30 years.

Mr. Speaker, this is -- this is the most expensive capital project in the history of the territory. Our current Ministers should not be blamed for the financial mess created by past government, especially the Minister of Finance of the day; it was Michael Miltenberger.

Mr. Speaker, our people are going to be the ones left paying for the increased cost of this project, an estimated 62 percent increase, Mr. Speaker. The deputy auditor general said he was perplexed by this series of decisions that were reached by the government. And I do agree.

The government did not include annual property taxes when planning for the new project which are estimated to cost at least $151.6 million over 30 years. Operating costs for non-medical services in the new hospital are projected to increase by $173 million over 30 years. The government's decision to sublease its own hospital cost $78.6 million. It is absurd the government agreed to rent a building they already own.

Mr. Speaker, our small communities are hurting. People are not getting medical treatment in their own communities, and our programs and services need more funding. Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report shows this project is going to have long-term impacts. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, we are not going to have money we need to fix our health care systems or support operations in small communities. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance. Thank you.