Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next question is: What are we doing to analyze our power distribution to ensure that not only our structure is most efficient but our equipment is most efficient? When I refer to the equipment, often I hear people talk about when the new meters came in,

their power bills all jumped. I’m wondering what

type of analysis the NWT Power Corp has done on that type of trend. It’s not that I’ve heard this from one person;

I’ve heard this from several people who

said that when the new infrastructure rolled in, their power bills jumped.

Has the NWT Power Corp done any analysis on these types of trends, because Northerners can’t afford their power bills and if we have meters that cause the prices to jump it makes the cost of living unbearable here in the North.

The issue of meters is a critical one. Every jurisdiction has to meter. You can’t manage what you can’t count, and you can’t bill what you can’t count. The issue of are

they accurate, from everything I’ve seen and heard there is not an issue with faulty meters. I will, in fact, raise the issue and will follow up with the Power Corp and see if there have been concerns raised in that area and what redress was taken.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The 2014-15 Marketing Plan noted the challenges of dealing with unforeseen events including natural disasters. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

How does NWT Tourism plan to build tourism in the Deh Cho following last year

’s destructive fire

season?

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have some fantastic facilities in the Deh Cho and in the Member’s riding. We continue to support those efforts. I know the campground in Fort Providence was highlighted during last summer’s fire season and the bad fire that we had around Fort Providence and the service that the park provided. We have to continue to support the operators and the infrastructure that we have on the ground in the Member’s riding.

The Marketing Plan notes that each region is budgeted to receive $50,000 for advertising initiatives of their choice working with the NWT Tourism marketing director to align with the territorial strategy.

What other NWT tourism plans and strategies support region-directed growth in tourism?

We have our Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Strategy that would certainly look to support efforts in the Member’s riding. We also have Tourism 2020, a new plan that we’ve come up with that is going to earmark money for tourism around the Northwest Territories. We’ve recently received money from CanNor. We also will be looking for additional federal funding as we mov

e forward. Through the EOS, we’re also able to

provide more money for tourism, and I think our overall spend on tourism now is near $10 million per year.

How will the NWT components of the Deh Cho Travel Connection be promoted and emphasized?

I didn’t hear the Member’s

question. If he could repeat the question, that would be great.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Could you repeat your question, Mr. Nadli?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How will the NWT components of the Deh Cho Travel Connection be promoted and emphasized?

My ears are a little bit plugged. I’m not feeling the best, but I thank the Member for repeating the question.

We will continue to work with the region through the Fort Simpson office and also in Hay River on opportunities to promote the Deh Cho Connection. I know MLA Mr. Menicoche has talked about this in efforts to support Highway No. 7 and the tourism route that is the Deh Cho Connection. It is a wonderful opportunity for people to not go back the same way and do a loop through the Northwest Territories. It’s important that it is marketed and it is promoted, and through NWT Tourism that happens, as well, through their regional offices.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has stated that there will be continued work with the operators. Aside from that, are there any plans within the 2015-16 season to see if campgrounds and tourism facilities within my riding would be enhanced?

I don’t have the capital

plan in front of me for this coming year but I believe there is some additional funding for facilities in the Member’s riding, and I can get him that information.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I made reference to an NWT Housing Corporation Housing Choices funding program eligibility criteria. It seems that there are two sets of rules pertaining to this CARE funding program which deserve some scrutiny. Apparently if you live in a non-market community and you owe less than $5,000 in land lease or property tax arrears, you still qualify for up to $90,000 in forgivable loans. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

Can the Minister explain to the House how is it you can owe money for land lease and property tax arrears and still qualify for a forgivable loan in this day and age? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister of Housing, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Assembly and the previous Assembly recognize the challenges the small communities are facing in trying to access some of the programs that we offer. There was a time when if you had any land tax owing at all, you weren’t able to qualify for any of the programs in the small communities. We heard from Members; we addressed that; and we allowed them to carry some taxation.

In the taxation area, part of the problem that we face is because it’s a tax-based community they’re able to do tax sales. So if somebody were to lose their home based on a tax sale, then the Housing Corporation would be out that investment that we made into the property. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the Minister’s reply.

My next question might need a little bit more clarification from what he’s just indicated here. Clearly, this CARE policy segregates both market and non-market residents with two separate rules and criteria.

Can the Minister inform the House, what is the rationale for having those two sets of rules? Thank you.

I just said that we recognize some of the challenges that are faced in the small communities. We try to tailor many of our programs to get as many people into the programs as we can. In some of the larger jurisdictions, especially the market communities, they have easier access to bank financing and resale value of their units, a type of luxury that we don’t have in many of the smaller communities. So, that is the rationale for this and we believe it’s one that’s working fairly well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the Minister clarifying that. It is a bit confusing, especially when you have a whole suite of programs out there.

Nothing is mentioned on the website for the NWT Housing Corporation about having a repayment plan for arrears in place prior to further funding. Therefore, can the Minister elaborate, does the NWT Housing Corporation have any terms or conditions or prerequisites that must be in place prior to seeking any forgivable loans or other funding? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member is referring to the smaller communities, repayment plan for the smaller communities, or all communities in general. Maybe if I could just ask the Member to clarify which part of the market he’s speaking to, then I will respond accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.