Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to make a Member’s statement in regards to the BRB, or the Bear River Bridge, a vital infrastructure link on the proposed Mackenzie Valley right-of-way between Fort Wrigley and Norman Wells, a distance of 330 kilometres. This link has a bit of history on it. It was procured by the previous, previous government back in 2006 and as a result of limited resources, was postponed and deferred to this Assembly. In preparation for that, the Hamlet of Tulita, in my discussions with the mayor, is in a position now to move ahead and explore options available when considering -- and he has considered -- the physical situation of our government. The readiness approach would engage into discussion between this government and his community and his public members, and later I will have questions to the Minister of Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As you all know, I'm one of the new Members here coming into this Assembly and the principle intent of the mandate, I really strongly believe in that directive: setting the goals set by the priorities identified by all representatives. To create a dialogue for people out there that we serve in all our ridings, let them know that we now have a plan. Here is a plan set out to try and achieve these. In reality, I don't think it's doable, but we have a document to start from, identifying everything from child development to creating and improving our economy to continuation of programs and services under our limitations. But in the view of the reader, once the document is publicized, we can probably come back to our constituency and say, “At the Assembly we have a vision. We have a plan.” It's not as if we are running in all different directions without any guidance of any centralized focus on priorities identified and having the input of all of us. It's based on that methodology and based on that principle, I respect the mandate itself. As said in previous meetings, we have measurables. We have a mid-term review to see how we're progressing. It's been several weeks now and it's been several times we had this on the agenda. I just look forward to concluding this so we can all go to work, and I look forward to implementing that with everybody around this table.

I welcome the Minister's invitation and look forward to our further dialogue and meeting on that.

My next question to the Minister is: If there is going to be a transitional plan for a portion of the department moving into the building this coming November, can the Minister provide the documentation to discuss some of the logistics and staffing that would be eventually included in the transitional plan?

In that case, my next question, Mr. Speaker, is to seek who is actually holding the transition plan. When I talked to the CEO in Norman Wells, she says they're moving in in November. So actually, which is it?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had mentioned here earlier in my Member’s statement, my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services about the newly constructed, still underway, facility in Norman Wells providing a modern medical care system to the residents of the whole area. It's the first of its kind in the area to also provide long-term care units and availability to 18 seniors in our community and our area. Taking into account a building of such, there's a transitional phase that would take place prior to the building being functional and ready to provide that service. I'm asking the Minister if I can get a copy of the transitional plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I address in my Members' statement a building under construction in Norman Wells, a building that is going to cost this government $35 million to provide well-needed healthcare to the surrounding communities. For the newcomers in the audience, I represent five communities in the Central Mackenzie. It's remote. We've got three ways to go in there. We have no all-weather road, so the government provides meaningful institutions and services to our five communities. Getting back to the statement here, the facility is under construction, but is going to be seeing the opening of the doors within this calendar year. In addition to the regional facility, we are going to see 18 rooms to accommodate long-term care for elders as well, so that's very exciting news for the area. Later I will have questions for the Health Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On the comments and the information provided, we did have a new administration system or administration personnel in the Town of Norman Wells, so I look forward in working with the Minister's department and the new staff of the Town of Norman Wells to explore the re-opening of the facility there with the contributions as sai

We have talked a number of times here on the physical limitations of our government, and currently, we are going into the closure of a fiscal year and entering into a new one. Would the Minister commit to supporting a funding model for the Norman Wells facilities? As said, it's a beautiful building here donated by the private sector, this government, and the Town of Norman Wells. It'll be a waste to see that facility going through another year of not providing service