Oh, sorry. I apologize. Okay. Let’s get started here. Good job in regards to getting the monies from the federal department or federal $50 million. I think it shouldn’t be too hard to spend that $50 million. I can’t wait to get my new housing units, hopefully get a four-plex in Sachs Harbour and my new eight-plex in Ulukhaktok for my elders facility that is going to be coming forward in a motion and a petition as well. I am working on that. I will help you spend those new monies.
Regarding Sachs Harbour, on the infrastructure acquisition plan, I see three of my communities that I represent on the infrastructure acquisition plan in regards to either retrofits or new units. All but one is Sachs Harbour. I have young families wanting to have their own housing unit. There is none available either, due to there is none in the community. I think that has to be looked at. It is a real serious matter because people want to live in Sachs but there is no housing, none whatsoever. It has to be dealt with this year. I look forward to
seeing the new monies, if we could put that in the budget.
The elders facility in Ulukhaktok, I have been working with the community. They would like to see if we can put one up similar to Tuk, an eight-plex or a four-plex, in the community where they have to send their elders to Inuvik and family members not being able to see them. I want to see if we can put that with the new monies that we got from the federal government.
Another big concern I do have is the Inuvik office running the office out of Paulatuk running the corporation in Inuvik. I am finding more and more of my constituents getting these eviction notices from the LHO due to non-payment. If there was somebody in the community, I think it would make a difference if it is run out of the community. I really would like to see that put back into the community -- the office, the staff, everybody -- to run that housing office in Paulatuk. That is needed badly. I am getting people evicted in the communities. It is the middle of the winter. Corporations evicting people, that is not right. We have to work with the corporation to try to work something out for that.
Going back to the acquisition plan, I see some major retrofits. I look at the whole acquisition plan as a whole. I see a lot like in the South here, units being built in a couple of communities that got seven new units. Maybe the corporation is planning enough to give us one or two for Sachs. I would appreciate that.
My biggest concern right now is for the people in Paulatuk in regards to getting the office put back in the community and getting these rental arrears done, having somebody going into the community, visiting adults, sorting out, trying to work with the people and another unit in Sachs Harbour or two four-plexes. But other than that, the federal investment. I think you could put that money into good use in regards to our elders for persons with disabilities. In the communities, I have people that have wheelchairs. They have a tough time getting into their units because there is no ramp...and low income for seniors. Being the most northerly riding, I think a lot of that retrofit money should be coming to the communities. I went to Paulatuk about three weeks ago. One of my elderly ladies came to me and told me that, you know, any time you have a west wind, you have snow blowing in the house. It is more than one unit that is doing that. I know the maintenance is doing the best job they can, but I really think that, given new windows, doors, I think we could help out with elders not having to worry about just trying to stay warm in the winter. It is the last thing they should be worrying about.
Like I said, I am happy to see three of my communities on the list for retrofits and I just need
Sachs Harbour to be put on for my four-plex, and my elders facility in Ulukhaktok. Thank you, Minister and staff. I look forward to going page by page with the Minister. Thank you.