Although regular MLAs in the 5th Legislative Assembly fought vigorously to make Elders facilities available in all Nunavut communities, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 not yet any such plan for the 6th Legislative Assembly.

Health Minister John Main told his colleagues on March 14 that it may be possible to have that sort of strategy in place SA国际影视传媒渄uring the life of this assembly.SA国际影视传媒�

Main came under heavy questioning from former Health minister George Hickes, who pointed out that the previous Legislative Assembly was so displeased with the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 regional approach that the members stalled the construction of continuing care centres in the regional hubs of Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit by up to two years. Only Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 24-bed facility has proceeded to the construction phase.

SA国际影视传媒淚n terms of what the long-term plan is, we currently donSA国际影视传媒檛 have long-term plan and recognize that is a gap, and we recognize that there are there is a lot of interest in that area of long-term care,SA国际影视传媒� Main said. SA国际影视传媒淚t is a very important topic to many Nunavummiut and so currently when it comes to planning we are looking at filling in the gaps in our planning in terms of seeing what types of partners can be involved in this work, if any, as well as what the desires are from communities.SA国际影视传媒�

The minister added that care for seniors, in a broader sense, involves input from other government departments and agencies, such as the Department of Family Services and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd so with regards to deletions (of continuing care centre funding) that occurred in the previous assembly, I am not prepared to comment on that at this time,SA国际影视传媒� said Main.

When Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki asked similar questions about planning to put long-term care facilities in every Nunavut community instead of just regional hubs, Main replied, SA国际影视传媒渨e currently donSA国际影视传媒檛 have any plans for a project along those lines.SA国际影视传媒�

Malliki said he agreed with Hickes in that an overarching seniors strategy should be developed before facilities are allocated, something Main called for several months ago as chair of the regular membersSA国际影视传媒� caucus.

Main said, SA国际影视传媒淭hat longer-term view needs to be taken of an issue that is this important, where we canSA国际影视传媒檛 be thinking four years at a time SA国际影视传媒� I plan to look to the members of this committee in terms of the input, the ideas, and the direction that they would like to see as we take a longer-term view to long-term care and seniorsSA国际影视传媒� care in Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�

Waiting list

There are currently 22 people on a waiting list for admittance to an Elders home or a continuing care centre, Main stated.

Raising the recent negative publicity surrounding the Embassy West care home in Ottawa, where numerous Nunavummiut seniors are residing, Hickes asked what would happen if the Government of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 contract with Embassy West were to be cancelled in the near future.

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Main called the contract SA国际影视传媒渧ery importantSA国际影视传媒� and referred to Embassy West as SA国际影视传媒渁 valued partner to our department.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚t allows our department to provide the level of care for the Elders who need it and itSA国际影视传媒檚 a very valued service that Embassy West is providing to our department,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭o the memberSA国际影视传媒檚 question, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what would happen if that contract were to cease to exist. The effect on the seniors who are receiving care would be detrimental because we currently do not have the means to meet the level of care that they require in the territory. It could mean hospitalization of the Elders in question.SA国际影视传媒�