(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if there is going to be more programs available for the smaller communities, besides the ones that have already been established, what process will be used to acquire more programs for the government? Thank you. (Translation ends)
Debates of Sept. 25th, 1998
Topics
Supplementary To Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 235
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Supplementary To Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 235
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Arlooktoo.
Further Return To Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 235
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to this subject I have to consult with other people who are involved in the decentralization process, from the territorial government as well, I would have to consult with the Nunavut government under the Interim Commissioner's office.
Since there is only five months now before the Nunavut government is to be established, perhaps at this time we cannot make any more changes prior to that date without consulting other departments and other interest groups. If there is going to be some decentralization process that is going to be established under the Nunavut government, but I do understand what he is talking about and the issues that are involved. Maybe perhaps under the Nunavut government, the Interim Commissioner can establish a program to take care of smaller communities. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Question 128-13(6): Decentralized Nunavut Government Model
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 129-13(6): Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier.
Regarding the economic strategy that has been put forth, and also the efforts of this government to consider looking at resources for this government which are presently held by the federal government. My question to the Minister is, presently there is a Northern Accord in place to deal with the transfer of the human resource sector from the federal government to this government where it has to be negotiated. Is the government contemplating avoiding that process all together and going directly to the federal government to negotiate the transfer of resources to this government?
Question 129-13(6): Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 129-13(6): Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Question 129-13(6): Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in order to provide the Member a detailed answer, I will take this question as notice to give him as much information as I can. Thank you.
Return To Question 129-13(6): Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Question 129-13(6): Transfer Of Federal Authorities To The North
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 130-13(6): Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Premier.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Baker Lake are extremely upset and concerned over a commitment that was made by the Minister of Transportation, to have the White Hills Bridge installed in Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, on two occasions, in this House a commitment was made by the Minister to have this bridge installed.
Early this spring the Minister met with the Mayor of Baker Lake and once again committed to have the bridge installed. Mr. Speaker, this bridge has been sitting on the dock for almost two years now. Mr. Speaker, with only a few weeks left of good weather to install this bridge, I would ask the Premier if he would agree to impress upon the Minister the importance and the limited time-frame available to install this very important structure. Thank you.
Question 130-13(6): Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 130-13(6): Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Question 130-13(6): Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will be pleased to pass on that message to the Minister. I will ask him or his department to be in touch with Baker Lake people next week to see if something can happen with that bridge this year. Thank you.
Return To Question 130-13(6): Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Question 130-13(6): Baker Lake Bridge Installation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of the Housing Corporation about the Access Program that has been implemented by this government.
Individuals apply to the program in which they have to go a banking institution to acquire funds in which the government pays a portion of it. I would like to ask the Minister, is there anything in place to assist the people when they do get into trouble with having the banks foreclose on their houses where they have to ejected from an access unit? Is there anything in place at the present time to have to deal with such a problem?
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Return To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that the Housing Corporation has a specific process in place. However, if a client is starting to be late on payments or stops making payments the bank will take its usual course of action quite quickly as they usually do, and the Housing Corporation is informed. The first thing we do is try to work with the client to provide counselling and to see what type of support information we can pass on so perhaps there may be some refinancing possible or something like that. As a safety net for these types of clients, I believe there is none. Thank you.
Return To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 236
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I received a call yesterday from a constituent of mine on this particular matter, where she was told by the bank that she had to be out of her house yesterday. Her house is an access unit. I have been trying to deal with your department on this matter. The lady is in her late 50's and her husband is 64 years old, yet they were given a DAP program where they were unable to pay because of the financial situation they find themselves in.
I think that this government is the one that delivered that program in which the individual now find themselves financially in trouble. For one thing they are out of their home and their credit rating is no longer any good and they may have to go into bankruptcy. I would like to ask the Minister again, you mentioned you have people in-house to council clients, why has the department allowed these individuals to find themselves in this state that they may have to declare bankruptcy?
Supplementary To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Arlooktoo.
Further Return To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to say that if there is any thing that the Housing Corporation can do to assist and whatever information we can provide we will do so. As the Member may know, during the beginning stages of the application process the client is the one that proves to us on paper that they have the ability to make the payments and the Housing Corporation provides in essence a top up to ensure they can make the payments. I understand there are some exceptional circumstances, things may happen with job, et cetera. I am very much willing to look at the file and give it to the corporation to review. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, regarding programs that this government delivers, there are the DAP and EDAP program. I find it very cumbersome that you put elderly people in, this case, the husband is 64 years old and the wife is 59, put them in a situation where they find themselves with a 25 year mortgage. Yet they are pensioners. I think this government has to clearly review exactly how this program is delivered and the age of the people who qualify for this program.
I would like to ask the Minister, do they consider looking at the long-term viability of these individuals to pay knowing they are going to be on a pension within a few years. In this case one of them is a pensioner. Why did the department allow these individuals to be sucked into a program where they are now finding themselves having a possibility to declaring bankruptcy.
Supplementary To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Arlooktoo.
Further Return To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member is expressing frustration but in general may not fully comprehend the complexity of the program that we run. The Housing Corporation used to be in a position where we could fund housing units and basically, if an individual, whether senior or a younger person were able to show that they could run the house we basically used to be able to give it to them. The funding was there.
In the recent past as I have said over and over again, the federal government cut the funding very drastically for housing and, in fact, eliminated a large portion of our housing projects. We have been put in a position where we have had to find creative ways of financing of finding individuals who can make mortgage payments. The basic test is, you want to simplify that, if an individual can show us that they can pay off a mortgage, can afford to run a home, but cannot raise the full cost of building the home, we will pay, anywhere from five percent to 70 percent of the construction of the house, then it is up to that individual to make the payments.
As I said, we do have a concern in a long-term commitment to these people to counsel them, to work with them and we will be in contact with these clients that the Member is referring to.
Further Return To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Question 131-13(6): Late Payments Of Loans
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 237
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister also try to make an arrangement with the bank because they are the ones that foreclosed on this unit. If they can possibly work out an arrangement with the banks so these individuals will not be left holding a bag. These individuals are seniors in regard to their age. In most cases in the government housing units if you are 60 years old you do not pay rent. Yet, these people are stuck holding a bag in regard to a mortgage. Can the Minister also try to work out an arrangement with the bank in regard to who foreclosed on this access unit yesterday?