Tom Beaulieu

Okay. Following up on questions from other MLAs, I know there was indication that because of the nature of the way the office space in Inuvik is spread out around the community, although there may be a 7 per cent vacancy rate, there are small pockets all over the community. I was wondering what the opposition to actually doing a market evaluation would be.

I know that if we support a small business under some of our small business programs, even a person who owns a small business could have a lot less of an impact on something like this. That person is actually going into an area where there’s...

Okay. I’ll talk about Inuvik.

Laughter.

Can the Minister advise if the department can sit down with the community to hear their solutions and what they think of the usage of the Great Elders Facility and how it could be used as a residence for the elders of Fort Resolution?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I believe the department must exercise its creative side in this matter and not hold steadfast to regimented policies, legislation, regulations that may work very well elsewhere but not for a small community of 500 in Fort Resolution.

I may have questions for the Minister later on today.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Today I would once again like to talk about the Great Elders Facility in Fort Resolution. I have raised this issue in the House more than once. I have asked questions about this facility, but with all my efforts it seems the community and the department are still not able to find a workable solution that satisfies both. This is an ideal facility that has potential to provide very valuable and much needed service to the community of elders.

Mr. Speaker, from reviewing the responses from the Minister to my questions asked previously in...

That’s all the questions I have for this page.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 19, Donation of Food Act, and wishes to report that Bill 19 is now ready for Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Minister, for the answer. Can the Minister commit to communicating soon with an updated status on what the department considers to be a good solution for residential use by the elders of the Great Elder Facility in as far as scheduling and planning and so on.?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the Great Elders Facility and its use. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services questions on this. Can the Minister advise what internal discussions she has had with her department on the usage of the Great Elders Facility in Fort Resolution? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Unanimous consent granted.