Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I said earlier that I believe in parity. The vision of the NWT Housing Corporation is to treat all citizens of the Northwest Territories equally. One of the areas we looked at very closely and we will continue to work with market communities is in the context of EDAP. We may at some point house those people who are in need and that we do not see the residents of Yellowknife treated any differently than somebody from a smaller community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Feb. 28th, 2002
This is page numbers 237 - 275 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 housing.
Topics
Further Return To Question 109-14(5): Housing Shortages In Tax-based Communities
Question 109-14(5): Housing Shortages In Tax-based Communities
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Further Return To Question 109-14(5): Housing Shortages In Tax-based Communities
Question 109-14(5): Housing Shortages In Tax-based Communities
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Housing, the Honourable Roger Allen. During the first phase of harmonization when it was advertised in the papers and out in the Northwest Territories, the North Slave office in Yellowknife sent a message to the local housing authority in Rae-Edzo, saying if they are not happy with the harmonization, to tell their MLA, because it was the MLAs who were raising the rent. Can the Minister tell me why there was a verbal phone call to the LHO and nothing written? Thank you.
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.
Return To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to clarify, there was some misinformation at the beginning of the communication strategy. That has been cleared up. That phone call should never have been made. I believe that corrective action has been taken. I believe the LHOs are now informed of their roles and responsibilities in the proposed harmonization policy. Thank you.
Return To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the rumours are out there that the MLAs all had something to do with the increase in rent for seniors and single families, can the Minister tell me if he will take corrective actions and make a public release that this is not the case? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I apologize, but I must ask the Member to repeat his question. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Allen. Mr. Lafferty, would you repeat that for the honourable Minister?
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is pretty hard to do again, I did not have anything written. I will try to do my best. My question was if the Minister can take corrective actions for his department's misinformation to the communities and to the public, saying that it was the MLAs' initiative and not anyone else's. If they can take corrective action in a public release or through public information. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.
Further Return To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What we are prepared to do is advise all of the LHOs that we are in the process of proposing a deferral on the harmonization strategy. Once that is completed and approved, we will then put out a full communiqué to all of the LHOs and the tenants advising them of our decision. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 253
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rumour is in Rae-Edzo that if you are not happy with the harmonization, it is your MLA's fault. I would like to ask the Minister if he can take corrective actions to let the public know, not just the LHOs, because they are the ones that started the rumour. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
February 27th, 2002
Page 254
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I am a little puzzled about that question, whether or not we are dealing with a rumour here. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.
Further Return To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, in the interim, we will put out a communiqué informing that it was not the MLAs suggesting that the people contact them, we will redirect, saying that they contact the LHOs or the district offices for further clarification. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Question 110-14(5): Harmonization Notice To Local Housing Authority
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Housing Corporation to follow up on my earlier questions in the House today. Can I get the Minister to reiterate his last answer to my last question on the need and the willingness of the department to use the local housing authority as a contractor and supplier for people in those communities who are not in public housing, but are in need of major renovations to their homes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.
Return To Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To clarify my previous answer, I indicated that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is prepared to procure additional supplies and building materials, or whatever is needed that cannot be procured from an existing store or through existing means. We will provide that, providing we have an itemized list of the materials that are required. Thank you.
Return To Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
Supplementary To Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that would be of great benefit to people living in isolated communities that do not have existing stores they can go to. With more employment through development happening, we will see more people working in the communities who are not going to be able to qualify for public housing.
The GNWT is getting out of public housing, as is reflected in the harmonization proposal. Most public housing that has been transferred already is old or in need of major renovations. Knowing that the affordable housing is categorized as 30 percent of household income, Mr. Speaker, and most people working in smaller communities do not even have pocket change most times, because of commitments they have made in other areas, I would like to ask the Minister, would he consider a financing arrangement to go along with the services he has committed to? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.
Further Return To Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Question 111-14(5): Repair Program Delivery By Lhos
Item 7: Oral Questions
Page 254
Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot commit to any type of financing arrangement to what we have indicated earlier, but I am prepared to review that and see what is most equitable for that specific community. Thank you.