This is page numbers 17 - 42 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd 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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for housing. The constituents in Nunakput raised the issue of the lack of housing which is linked to homelessness for many young adults who are single and also raising families. My question is: how is the NWT Housing Corporation addressing homelessness in Nunakput?

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Minister responsible for Addressing Homelessness.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Homelessness is a challenge throughout the Northwest Territories and it's not being addressed by just the Housing Corporation. It's being addressed by the GNWT as a whole. Like I had spoken earlier, the ministers will be meeting soon. I will be meeting with the Standing Committee on Social Development, I believe that's right. There are options that currently are in effect, the people can access the Homeless Assistance Fund to pay arrears, if that's the case. We provide shelter enhancement funding that is accessible to any community. Right now, within Nunakput specifically, we're working with the hamlet of Paulatuk, the Hamlet of Sachs Harbour, and the Ulukhaktok, excuse my pronunciation, Community Corporation, which are accessing homeless funds to provide incentives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Are there any specific projects the NWT Housing Corporation is supporting in Nunakput?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

As stated earlier, there are the three communities that work in partnership already. As well, we're in preliminary discussions with, and my pronunciation is going to slaughter me here, Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter in Tuktoyaktuk about the Shelter Enhancement Fund for 2016 and 2017.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

My question is: would the NWT Housing Corporation consider building single units in Nunakput communities?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

The Housing Corporation will conduct a review of the need for single housing in our rural and remote communities, including the communities of Nunakput. The information will be used towards the development of a capital plan that could be implemented providing the resources are available.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, my question is: given the cost in transportation in the Northwest Territories and especially in Nunakput where transportation is the furthest in the North, I'm asking the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation if they would consider building modular homes in the community due to the window of opportunity to transport and construct in the fall season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

The NWT Housing Corporation is interested in looking at all different designs of homes, and we do traditionally put them out to tender. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recent years, the NWT has missed out on mining exploration to the benefit of our sister territories. The industry itself has identified a lack of infrastructure as an issue there. I'm pleased to see that the government's prioritizing road access to some of these areas. Will the Minister of Transportation answer what actions have been taken to improve road access to the Slave Geological Province?

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Transportation.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of Northwest Territories views strategic investment in northern infrastructure as essential in capturing economic and mobility opportunities to benefit Northerners and all Canadians. The department is currently assessing economic and feasibility of a P3 potential of building an all-weather road to the Slave Geological Province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

This could be a significant nation-building project if the connection was made all the way to the Arctic Coast in Nunavut. Has the Government of Nunavut been brought into this discussion about leveraging resources to help finance the construction of the road?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

The opportunities, if they're there, through the Federal Build Infrastructure Fund and in conversations with the Government of Nunavut we would certainly have a look there.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my opening remarks, I had mentioned the Sahtu region as a huge contributing region untapped, but yet recognized with its resources. In the areas of resource development and pristine attractions for tourism, which we all know is a huge economy by itself and bringing huge benefits to our territory. To create a pristine environment in our area, it's within our Sahtu Land Claim to have the Canol Trail cleaned up and turned over to a heritage trail, which would inject attractions to the tourist community. My question today, is to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, to see if that is still a high priority. And if it’s a high priority, I’ll get back to my second question on the supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. There's almost two questions there. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Canol Trail cleanup has been in the works for quite a few years now, as part of the Sahtu Land Claim. Those provisions provide for a Canol Trail park. Progress has been slow because of the fact that the land still has to be cleaned up by the Government of Canada before it will be transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories so that it can be turned into a park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

My second question to the Minister is: would he be open to an unsolicited proposal from local stakeholders on the concept of a one-stop shop to clean up this 222-mile section?

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

We have worked with the Sahtu to do exactly that, whereby we have facilitated the federal government paying for cleanup of the parts of the Canol Trail and to actually provide funding for groups in the Sahtu to participate in the cleanup, and we would be prepared to do that once again, using federal funding.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The GNWT filed a letter of support earlier this week on February 15, 2016 with the National Energy Board and the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations for a seven-year extension to the certificate for a Mackenzie gas pipeline. Can the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment confirm that there was no consultation with Regular Members on the GNWT position? Thank you.