Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this time, I -- you know, I could appreciate the Member asking this and that there was -- you know, we -- because of the location, close proximity to Hay River, there is nothing in our plans to do this and, therefore, within our plans, there are many priorities in our infrastructure plans to have to do over our 20-year plan, our 5-year, 20-year plan, so it's not at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the programming and the operations of this area, kind of through the work that we're doing is that we're working -- we're going to be working closely, I think, with housing, and they would be taking over through the homelessness file and we would be moving back as being the health supports that are going to be needed. And so once we get this open and operational, then that collaboration between health and housing will have to continue to see what type of services and programs that are going to be needed to continue to run that program or if there's going to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, health systems across Canada are facing serious and complex challenges. The Northwest Territories is not alone in this. Every province and territory is working to respond to the growing impacts of addictions, mental health needs, workforce shortages, and service gaps. That is why collaboration with other Canadian jurisdictions is essential.

I recently attended the inaugural meeting of the provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for mental health, addiction and recovery, held in Alberta. This was an important opportunity to share experiences, learn...

So we don't anticipate to have the plan until 2027-2028 to go forward with. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, we are still on track for that.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So during -- how our capital process works is we look for the approval for the planning dollars. So those planning dollars will help us to create the -- the planing will begin in 2026, producing a schematic design and a class C cost estimate, and then once that is done then we can anticipate, you know, to put forward a request for after that fiscal year. And then when it does, depending on, you know, the build -- and, like, health facilities can take, you know, a couple years to three years. I know that this is a health cabin, so it could be faster. Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As these go out for tender, we do not disclose the actual amounts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, no, we haven't -- I have not had those conversations with the leadership. However, I do communicate regularly with the TCSA, Tlicho community service agency. And this discussion has not come up. We support the service that we -- that they have as they are the lead in their jurisdiction on how these services are provided. We support them. NTHSSA supports them. And so, yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Joining me today I have from the Department of Health and Social Services I have Kristen Berg, assistant deputy minister of corporate service and cultural safety. And on this side, I have Mr. Chris Clarke, director of infrastructure planning. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So within prior years, I think we had other allocations. I think there was larger builds for, I think Tulita, and the wellness and recovery, the full -- the first big chunk -- the first chunk of money that we got from the federal money that was allocated was in the 2025-2026 budget. And I believe the long-term care in Hay River had some money allocated in the previous year as well. That's why the budget prior was larger. Thank you, Mr. Chair.