Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

1. What are the number of nurses and dollars spent on locum nurses in the NWT over the last 10 years?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the budget address. Petitions. Reports of Committees on the review of bills. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, February 8th, 2006, I will move that Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, No. 2, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. First reading of bills. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 18, committee reports 5, 6 and 7, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

We have a number of items before us in Committee of the Whole today. I would suggest that we take a break now and resume with opening comments for the NWT Housing Corporation immediately after the break. Is the committee agreed?

Okay, thank you.

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I am going to call Committee of the Whole back to order. We have in front of us Bill 18 and in the order of departments, the first one we want to deal with is the NWT Housing Corporation. At this time, I would like to ask Minister Krutko if he would like to please provide the general comments for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Krutko.

Yes, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am pleased to present the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation main estimates for the fiscal year 2006-2007 for a total contribution of $26.828 million.

This is an increase of 2.4 percent from the 2005-2006 main estimates. Including other revenue sources, the corporation will spend over $120 million on housing in the Northwest Territories this year. This funding includes contributions from our federal partner, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

During 2006-2007, the NWT Housing Corporation is planning a significant increase in our housing delivery to help address the housing needs of our residents. The corporation will invest $32.896 million to construct 185 housing units in communities across the NWT. Included in this allocation are 73 public housing replacement units and 112 homeownership units under the Supported Lease Program to assist families to become successful homeowners. This ambitious plan is subject to continued support from the federal government in the amount of $50 million over two years.

The Housing Corporation also plans to invest $10.439 million in modernizing and upgrading our rental stock through our local housing organizations and we have set aside $4.448 million to fund emergency and other repair programs, and various seniors' programs such as the seniors/disabled preventative maintenance program and the Senior Citizens' Home Repair Program.

The Housing Corporation is committed to meeting the targets set out in Motion 21-15(3) passed by this Legislature. The 185 units planned for delivery this year, along with those planned for next year, will put us on target to reduce core need by 10 percent by 2007. Investments made during the life of this Assembly have made a positive impact, but much work remains.

As you are aware, during the past year, the corporation has been involved in redefining its mandate. MLAs have expressed concerns about the level of involvement of stakeholders in this process. I have heard these concerns very clearly. As a result, a consultation process with MLAs, LHOs, community leaders and other stakeholders will occur over the next few months. Following this process, we will return to standing committee with the results of the consultation for their review.

The corporation made significant progress in its efforts to lobby the federal government during 2005. As Members may be aware, the federal government made significant commitments to deliver new affordable housing in the NWT prior to the election call. However, the election of a new government has caused a delay in the formal approval of those commitments until a new federal Cabinet is formed. We intend to resume discussions with the Honourable Diane Finley as soon as possible.

That concludes my opening remarks. At this time, I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee members may have. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister Krutko. At this time, I would ask the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, Sandy Lee, if she would please provide for us the comments by her committee. Thank you. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, as Members of the Accountability and Oversight Committee, were involved in the new pre-budget consultation process with the people of the Northwest Territories in late August of 2005. Hearings were held north and south of the Lake, and gave ordinary northerners and non-governmental organizations the opportunity to provide input to MLAs on the priorities that the budget should focus on.

The committee then met with the Minister and his officials on Wednesday, September 21, 2005, to review the draft business plan of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Members also received a briefing from the Minister of Finance on January 17, 2006, outlining the changes to the budget of the NWT Housing Corporation since the committee reviewed the business plan in September.

Committee noted the total operating budget for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation for 2006-2007 is planned at $122.486 million, or is $122 million...$122.486 million. Sorry. Of this total amount, the corporation proposes $85.658 million in revenues or non-cash items, and a GNWT contribution of $36.828 million.

The following outlines committee members' issues from their review of the 2006-2007 Draft Main Estimates for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and the new budget planning cycle.

Pre-Budget Consultations

The one consistent concern heard in all communities was the need for more housing. The majority of presenters felt that if we could reduce overcrowding and provide suitable and affordable housing in the communities, many of the pervading social problems that exist would be relieved.

The standing committee has heard this concern and will be working with our Cabinet colleagues to formulate a plan to address the long-term housing and attendant social problems in the North during the final two years of our Assembly.

Madam Chair, at this time, I would like to ask my colleague from Sahtu, Mr. Norman Yakeleya, to continue with the report.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Yakeleya.

New Mandate And Structure For The Delivery Of Housing In The NWT

Thank you, Madam Chair. Much of the discussion at the committee level over the budget planning cycle has focused on the need for a new mandate and structure for the NWT Housing Corporation.

With the transfer of responsibility for existing social housing to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment there is an opportunity to revitalize housing programs to meet the housing needs of all northerners.

Over the next year, the committee will be working with its Cabinet colleagues to come to a consensus on how government can best address the housing shortage in the NWT.

Once roles have been defined, work can begin on developing a government-wide business plan that will secure community and aboriginal governments' cooperation in developing the building lots our communities require to build the houses that we need.

Focus For Capital Spending

During the pre-budget consultations, we heard many stories of people living in housing units that lack adequate water and sanitary systems and heating sources.

Many of these units were built for people who have subsequently aged and are now having trouble in keeping up with the chores that a house with minimum services demands.

During the review of the business plans in September, the committee made a recommendation that the Housing Corporation focus on those units that lack adequate water and sanitation systems and heating sources. The corporation has agreed with this recommendation.

Renewable Energy Sources

During the review of the business plans in September, the committee made a recommendation that the Housing Corporation incorporate the option of installing woodstoves in all housing packages sold to northerners. The corporation has agreed with this recommendation.

At this time, Madam Chair, I will ask my colleague, MLA Bill Braden, to continue with the report.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Braden.

Federal Funding For Social Housing And Non-Market Communities

Thank you, Madam Chair. Much of the money for new social housing and housing in non-market communities is predicated on the federal government providing a significant portion of the required funding.

With the recent change in government at the federal level, it is unclear when, or even if, the funding for northern aboriginal housing contained in the Kelowna Agreement or the Novel housing proposal will come to the Territories.

Members of the committee are concerned with the plans of the corporation should the potential federal funding for these new initiatives not materialize, Madam Chair. There does not appear to be any plan on the part of this government to address the housing needs of northerners within the context of our present financial reality.

The committee is not saying we abandon pushing the federal government for more funding to take advantage of the Novel housing proposal and to address the shortage of housing in many of our smaller communities, but we, as a government and territory, should be prepared to react to our housing crisis on our own.

The committee looks forward to further information on the economic viability of the Novel housing proposal and other options on financing much needed housing in our communities.

For now, Madam Chair, the NWT Housing Corporation needs to focus on what it can do today, not what it may be able to do five years from now if the federal government comes up with the money.

I would like to ask, Madam Chair, my colleague from Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod, to carry on with the report.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. McLeod.

Policy Issue - One House In A Lifetime

Thank you, Madam Chair. Many of the first clients of the NWT Housing Corporation's programs are now senior citizens. They no longer require the three or four-bedroom houses they had built for their young families. However, these people now find themselves unable to access any of the services of the corporation, because of the one house in a lifetime policy.

The committee is of the opinion that the corporation would be able to free up houses for the private market if it were to provide smaller housing packages/construction services or possible bridge financing for those elders who no longer require such a large home, but still wish to live in their own stand-alone house.

Committee will be pursuing this with the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

NWTHC And School Trades Programming

The Standing Committee on Social Programs is pleased with the support that the corporation has been providing to school trades programming.

Exposing young adults to the trades and letting them work on real world applications is the only way that they would be able to make intelligent career choices that take into account the opportunities in the trades.

Members are concerned that in providing housing packages to the schools, the Housing Corporation has thus far concentrated on larger communities. The committee is not saying this is the fault of the Housing Corporation and suspect that it is more a result of the corporation taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them.

However, the committee would like to see the Housing Corporation, in cooperation with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, make a concentrated effort to expand into smaller communities and work on developing partnerships with industry and other levels of government.

Madam Chair, I would like to ask the Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak, to carry on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Pokiak.

Land Issues

Thank you, Madam Chair. Should the corporation be successful in securing federal financing under the aboriginal housing Initiative and for the Novel housing project, they will be faced with the problem of a lack of suitable, developed land in virtually every community in the Northwest Territories.

Our discussions indicate that the corporation is alive to this issue, but Members were concerned that there was no specific mention in the business plan narrative about the need to cooperate with other departments and levels of government.

When the committee looks at the problems the corporation had and is having in securing land for the 45 units under the market housing initiative, we cannot help but have feelings of trepidation when the corporation is proposing building or placing 1,600 units in the communities over the next 10 or so years.

It is very important the Housing Corporation makes sure that communities and governments understand the magnitude and expectations that will be placed on them, should the corporation secure federal funding. At minimum this would require concentrated and coordinated partnerships and firm agreements with municipal and aboriginal governments to be reached beforehand.

As previously mentioned, once government roles are defined, we can proceed in developing a business plan to engage our aboriginal and community government partners in developing the building lots we need.

Financial Counselling Services

Members are concerned with financial counselling services being delivered by the district offices in the smaller communities. The committee was especially surprised with the RFP looking for a contractor to develop this program since the committee's expectation was that the work would be done in house. Will there be adequate follow-up after the initial meeting to ensure that people stay on track in saving for their first home, or will people be left to sink or swim on their own?

This is the primary concern that the committee will be looking to be addressed in the program, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. At this time, I will ask that if Mr. Krutko would like to bring witnesses into the Chamber, is committee agreed?

Thank you. Minister Krutko. I would ask then, please, that the Sergeant-at-Arms bring the witnesses into the Chamber.

Mr. Krutko, for the record, could you please introduce your witnesses? Mr. Krutko.