This is page numbers 701 - 744 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 4th 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 communities.

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Further Return To Question 334-15(4): Compliance With GNWT Sole Source Contract Procedures
Question 334-15(4): Compliance With GNWT Sole Source Contract Procedures
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 713

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I spent the last three questions providing the information of what we intend to do. I will just stand by those commitments that I made in previous answers to previous questions. We will ensure that, where appropriate, we go to public tender. Recognizing the business we are in, we require the latitude to do sole source in certain areas. Where it has been identified that the rules haven't been applied properly, we have taken the steps with the deputy minister to ensure that everybody involved is clearly aware of what is expected of them. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 334-15(4): Compliance With GNWT Sole Source Contract Procedures
Question 334-15(4): Compliance With GNWT Sole Source Contract Procedures
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 713

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 2nd, 2006

Page 713

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. As well, I am pleased to see that Housing was, indeed, addressed in the budget speech with respect to building new affordable housing units in 14 of our small communities.

I have always been advocating that, over in Fort Liard, we had one of the most severe housing shortages and coupled with the mould problem, Mr. Speaker. I just would like to know what exactly is the department going to do to have some funds directed in that direction to renovate those homes and bring in some new additional units? The community has been asking for six-plex type units and single housing units. Are we going to address those in this budget, Mr. Speaker, or are we going to allocate any funds to relieve those conditions there? Mahsi cho.

Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 713

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 713

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to Fort Liard, we have had a problem with the Kotaneelee units. We have put $1 million in there

to do renovations of the units. We have completed four. We have had meetings with the municipality, the hamlet and the band council for them to conclude the remaining six units. But in this year's budget, we are looking at allocating five more units into Fort Liard. With that and ongoing funding, we hope to address the housing needs in Fort Liard.

Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just with respect to Kotaneelee houses, I am sure glad that we are going to spend a lot of effort on renovating those homes. However, there are many other homes that do have mould infestation problems. I just might add too, Mr. Speaker, that in a lot of the homes, there is lots of overcrowding in Fort Liard. We have to address this and soon. Particularly with mould, we are going to have to...It can be, and is, a serious health problem at times. I know that the Housing Corporation went on public record last year saying that one way to address the mould problem is with a cleaning solution, but that is not the solution that people are wanting to hear, Mr. Speaker. I would like to know what other efforts the Housing Corporation will direct to address this problem. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have identified dollars in the upcoming budget to deal with emergency cases, such as Fort Liard mould and other situations, to make improvements to bring our houses up to the standard that is liveable. There are dollars allocated in the budget in which we will be reviewing next week. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just would like to know if the Housing Corporation is going to the communities and asking for further input. Quite often, they keep saying that the Housing Corporation has to change its ways, that they are doing business in the communities and the homemade solution is the best. I know the corporation made a recent visit into Fort Liard to address some of these housing concerns. What direction will the Housing Corporation take? What other support will they be providing the community of Fort Liard? Mahsi.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been working with the community of Fort Liard. The leadership in the community is in the process of establishing a community housing board to deal with these housing issues, and that will establish an officer to work with the community to take on more of that responsibility. Right now, it is administered pretty well out of Fort Simpson. By doing that, we will devolve more of that authority to that community and allow them to make decisions with housing. We are working with the community leaders, the hamlet, the band council, and also proceeding with establishing a local housing authority there which will improve the housing access to people in Fort Liard right in the community. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to hear that answer. Housing is very near and dear to all of the constituents in my riding and particularly in Fort Liard. With respect to the mould problem, is there any indication by the Housing ministry of developing a program specific to the mould? I know that other communities in my riding are coming forward and saying, look, I have that same kind of problem. Does the housing program have any type of programs to assist me with cleaning it out or retrofitting my house and getting rid of the constant mould problem, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do have various programs at their disposal for people to apply. One of them is emergency repair programs. It falls within that category. We will be able to assist. We have done an in-depth report on the mould problem in Fort Liard, so we are in the process of dealing with that, starting off with the Kotaneelee housing. But there are programs available to residents of Fort Liard to apply, especially the emergency repair funding. With is there. By that process, they can access that through that program. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Question 335-15(4): Affordable Housing Units For Fort Liard
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was about a year ago in this House that I was arguing very strenuously about the closure of the remand unit in Hay River. One of the premises of my argument, just one of them, was the fact that I didn't feel that the $400,000 projected savings was actually going to materialize. Subsequent to that, I did ask the Minister of Justice, Minister Bell, if he would monitor the costs of providing the remand services under the new regime so that we could compare it to the historic costs for remand. Over the course of the year, he would do that. Does the Minister have any updated information for me with respect to that comparison? Thank you.

Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 714

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 715

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are monitoring the costs both internal and our departmental savings. As the Member knows, we took $400,000 out of the budget, but we are looking at what our actual costs to deliver programs and services in that area will be and see what the true savings are. The other aspect that we are monitoring is the cost of the RCMP. Of course, their budget did not go up but, anecdotally, we wanted to know from them whether or not this was an additional workload, whether it was taking them away from other duties. So by year end I will have an analysis of that done. I would also suggest that our intent was to save money. It was a cost-saving exercise. I wanted to ensure that that is, in fact, what was happening. Thank you.

Return To Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 715

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 715

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will certainly look forward to that report and the folks in Hay River mostly affected by it. Five positions were going to be by attrition. I understand that only one of those positions has actually been vacated. But the folks who were most affected by this were the casual staff who were called in on a frequent basis to monitor the remand unit. I understand that a number of them are still in Hay River. They would be very interested in hearing the response. When the report comes out and it proves that there were no $400,000 cost savings, what measure will the Minister take in that regard? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 715

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Question 336-15(4): Current Versus Historical Cost Of Remand Services In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 715

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a hypothetical question at this point. I am prepared to consider that information when I get it. I would also propose that I would like to see the facility, have a tour of the facility, get a better sense of how the remand services were delivered and take a look at options. I know we have improved surveillance in the facility now and installed some new cameras. I think that goes a long way toward dealing with some of the safety concerns that we had and were raised by the chief coroner. There are a number of things that I can look at, but I still want to analyze the cost savings. Again, it was a cost-savings initiative. We will see where we are by the end of March. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.