Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For my final question, I just want to ask if the building can't be saved and this non-profit can't continue doing their work, what's the government's plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister stated that he's aware that there's some major problems with that facility. My question is: if the government can't help renovate that facility, if it's beyond repair, if it needs a new building, is the department prepared to help provide that building or are they willing to let this service just disappear from the community?

I'm glad to hear that there's work started on that. Given that these shelters are NGOs; they're non-profits; they're not government-run facilities. The buildings they're in are owned by the non-profit, so in the case of the Family Support Centre in Hay River, they're in need of major renovations. Frankly, they're probably in need of a new building. Given this big capital cost, does the Minister and his department have any plans to provide any funds for physical infrastructure, either to improve or building a new building for the shelter?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the situation that the Family Support Centre in Hay River is facing, and I have some questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services in that regard. I stated that the shelter is underfunded, not just in general, but in comparison to other shelters in the territory. There doesn't seem to be any sort of funding formula based on beds, based on needs or anything like that. I'd like to ask the Minister, does he plan on coming up with some sort of formula so we can adequately fund all of the shelters? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my constituent and my constituent assistant Anne Peters. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was speaking of the wraparound services and up to four-week waiting times to receive counselling. In addition, victims are often forced to return to abusive relationships because of homelessness, poverty, problems securing housing, employment, and lack of daycare. Mr. Speaker, obviously two and a half minutes is not enough time to address all these issues, but I just want to make sure that this government and the public are aware of this dire situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to bring to light a serious issue that affects residents of Hay River and many other communities. The Family Support Centre in Hay River has been serving the Northwest Territories for nearly 30 years; it provides a safe and supportive place for women and their children who are fleeing abusive and potentially failed relationships. Despite offering an essential service, the GNWT provides funding that is inadequate even in relation to other shelters in the territory. The mandate of this government states in plain language that we will take action on the crisis of family and community violence. There is no better to start than at the ground level. We must ensure that our shelters are funded through the work that is needed. The Family Support Centre doesn't just serve Hay River; it serves a dozen communities spanning the ridings of six MLAs. Women are often brought to the shelter by police after being battered and victimized. The RCMP will take the woman's picture in the driveway and leave her at the doorstep of the shelter. Often she has young children in tow. In evenings and on weekends the centre can only afford one scheduled employee. This means that in addition to caring for up to ten women and children already at the shelter the employee must also attend to a family still reeling from a recent trauma. Staff are contending with ever increasing levels of crisis management related to family violence, mental health, addictions, health problems, and child protection. Admissions have increased nearly five-fold in this past year alone. Despite that, the centre has not had an increase in core funding in three years. This means that the centre can't attract and retain staff with the experience and training to meet the needs of the victims. The centre is also in constant need of repair. The roof has been leaking for three years causing extensive damage and making one space unusable. The sprinkler system is nearing the end of its life and is in need of replacement. In addition, the space is just too small to accommodate all the needs. There isn't even an indoor play area save for a three foot by three foot space in the living room. On top of all this the government stopped paying the centre's utilities in August 2015 which adds an additional expense of at least $18,000 per year to the centre's already strained budgets. The wraparound services needed to help the victims are also lacking. Counselling service is needed within 24 hours of arriving, yet the victims sometimes have to wait up to four weeks. Victims are often forced back into abusive relationships. My time is running out, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

It's not only the Housing Corporation that is hitting hard financial times. I think that instead of going to direct competition with local businesses, the Housing Corporation might want to consider an alternative, and I'd just ask that the Minister consider that in the future.

I understand from the Minister's previous comments in the House that the RCMP approached the Housing Corporation so the RCMP didn't have to negotiate with multiple companies in each community for housing. Instead of adding the 45 units to the hundred-plus market units that the Housing Corporation already needs to build, has the Housing Corporation considered implementing a program similar to the Rent Supplement Program, where local businesses could build and maintain these housing units or possibly utilize existing units and lease them to the Housing Corporation. This way the RCMP only have to deal with the Housing Corporation, and you're not putting the liability on the government; you're giving business to local companies.