Debates of July 5th, 2000

This is page numbers 467 - 532 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Review Of Child Welfare Services By The Child Welfare League Of Canada
Canada Day Celebrations
Incentive Policies For The Northern Business Community
Mackenzie Youth Summer Games
Proposed Hotel Tax
Manufacturing In The North
Recognition Of Yellowknife Participants In The Calgary Marathon
Accountability Of Cabinet Ministers
Northern Manufacturing
Tribute To Mary Beth Miller
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Alleged Contraventions Of The Financial Administration Act
Land Claims And Self-government Negotiations
Projected Hotel Tax Revenue
Using NWT Suppliers And Manufacturers
Diamond Training Success Rates
Policy To Assist Northern Manufacturers
Proposed Hotel Tax Administration
Basic Education Services For Adults
Support For Northern Manufacturers
Proposed Hotel Tax Projections
Impact Of Free Trade On Procurement Policies
Student Financial Assistance Loans
Profiling Revenues From The Proposed Hotel Tax
Premium Paid Due To Manufacturing Incentive Policies
Written Question 5-14(3): Support For Northern Manufacturers In Interjurisdictional Ventures
Written Question 6-14(3): Information Regarding Douglas Anderson
Written Question 7-14(3): Palliative Care
Written Question 8-14(3): Fibreglass Water And Sewer Tanks
Tabled Document 26-14(3): GNWT Business Plans 2000-2003
Tabled Document 27-14(3): GNWT Results Report 1998-99
Tabled Document 28-14(3): It Takes A Community: A Report To The Northwest Territories Department Of Health And Social Services On Child Welfare Services In The Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 29-14(3): Summary Of Indemnities And Expenses For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2000 For Members Of 13th Assembly
Tabled Document 30-14(3): Annual Report Of Members' Indemnities And Expenses For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2000 For Members Of 14th Assembly
Tabled Document 31-14(3): Declarations Made By Members Setting Out Their Place Of Residence
Tabled Document 32-14(3): Modernizing Our Electoral System: Report Of The Chief Electoral Officer Of The Northwest Territories
Development Of A Comprehensive Literacy Strategy
Extended Adjournment
Bill 10-14(3): An Act To Amend The Adoption Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
General
Expenditure Reductions; Highway Strategy And Federal Funding
Winter Roads, Community Access Roads And Ferries
Public Safety
Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Committee Motion 20-14(3) Recommendation For Continued Cooperation With Other Jurisdictions Regarding The Provision Of Any Restored Public Housing Funding (carried)
Committee Motion 21-14(3) Recommendation For Continued Lobby Efforts To Access Aboriginal Housing Funding
Recommendation To Form An Interdepartmental Working Group To Study Processes For Streamlining And Integrating Services Offered To Seniors (carried)
Recommendation That New Business Plan Strategies Or Policies Be Provided In Advance To Committees (carried)
Co-ordination Of Negotiations
Negotiating Tables
Budget
Recommendation That Aboriginal Affairs Press For Negotiations To Take Place In The North (carried)
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the area of the programs that are available to residents, has there been any flexibility built into how, for example, seniors can access any funding?

I was aware of a situation that arose in my community. A senior commented to me that the government will put him into a seniors home and pay for the cost of that home, but if he wanted to go into an independent situation, he would have a very difficult time. I believe there was some help given to him, but it took a bit of work, when it comes to people who are not right within that community boundary. For example, if there still can be productive living on the land and doing some trapping and hunting and so on. So is there flexibility in the system that can deal with the situations that come up of this nature? Thank you.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we are trying to adjust some of our program content to meet basic needs of people who want to still remain productive on the land. So it is going to take a little time before we can really develop a thorough program which addresses basic needs. Thank you.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Roland.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As well, we know there has been a call for seniors' units in the majority of the communities of the Northwest Territories. Under the existing program, with the Department of Health and Social Services, there are only eight units a year that can be allocated to seniors' facilities.

Has there been any work done in that area to create seniors' units that we would have more independent seniors being able to have. Part of it is to buy into it. I will use the example of the Inuvik elders or seniors group that have been working on a facility. They are willing to put in some of their own cash. So has there been areas looked at in trying to make this a possibility? Thank you.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Mr. Allen.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are several steps we have taken since I took over the portfolio. First of all, we have developed a Seniors' Housing Strategy that would look at developing 91 units over the course of the next four years. That is over and above the eight that are designated through the seniors' portfolio. Our intention here is to meet the demands of seniors independent housing as part of the public housing unit stock. That is our approach. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Roland.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am very interested in hearing more about this area. Is there something coming forward in the near future that Members will be able to have a look at? Thank you.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yes, Mr. Chairman, we do have a Seniors' Housing Strategy in print. We identified a number of areas such as the community requests, our continual liaison with community seniors across the Territories. We feel that we are going to be able to meet some of those objectives that they outlined.

There are a number of other areas that have been taken under consideration and discussed with the various seniors across the Territories. I feel we have a narrow look at meeting some of those seniors housing needs. Thank you.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

General comments. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have some questions about programs. Could the Minister tell me how much the Housing Corporation was paying per month when it was in operation for the homes for the homeless?

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. May I redirect that question to the president of the Housing Corporation? Thank you.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Beaulieu.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We had a lease agreement with the homeowner. We were paying $4,080 per month for the unit.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

July 5th, 2000

Page 511

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 511

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since that unit was shut down, I do not believe there has been anything in operation in town for homeless people. I know that a number of social agencies in town had put together a proposal that was put before this government. The Housing Corporation, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and the Department of Health and Social Services were asked for assistance in putting together a program that would deal with transition housing and hard to house people.

Since there has been no response to that program and I know that, for instance, the YWCA is interested in offering assistance right now to people who are living out at Long Lake at the campground and are looking for housing.

Would the Housing Corporation consider providing the same sort of funding to the YWCA to help them get into that program and in a building that they now are operating?

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 512

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you. Minister Allen.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 512

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, I would like to refer the question to the Housing Corporation president.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 512

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Beaulieu.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 512

Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Housing Corporation is continuing to look at the information that we have received from the federal government on the homeless strategy. So far, we are having difficulty getting information from the federal government as to how that program is to be delivered, what type of cost sharing arrangement is required in the program, and who from the department if any would be expected to cost share the homeless program.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 512

The Chair Leon Lafferty

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Committee Motion 19-14(3): Recommendation That The GNWT Not Make Any Further Reductions In Funding To The Northwest Territories Transportation System (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 512

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At one point, the Housing Corporation obviously took on some responsibility for homeless people in Yellowknife. It did not wait for cost shared dollars from the federal government. I am just asking that you continue that approach. There is a significant problem out there and it is there today. We have families that are right now without a place to live.

Will the Housing Corporation, at least as an interim measure, look at dealing with an agency such as the YWCA to see if they are prepared to make arrangements to try and deal with some of these people who are right now in crisis?