Our first step actually is to do a thorough analysis of the audit and look at the recommendations that are in that. The other thing that we are doing actually, and just implementing currently, again is we are asking all of our staff within the Municipal and Community Affairs for suggestions on ways to improve, and that includes the recommendations within the audit. So until that work is done then I can't commit to doing a zero-based review.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation. I'd like to ask the Minister if there is any singles housing strategy that has been developed by the NWT Housing Corporation? Thank you.

Masi. Minister of NWT Housing Corporation.

Yes, actually we just put out this year a pilot project for single/bachelor fourplexes in the communities of Fort Simpson, Behchoko and Aklavik, and we will be doing an evaluation of those fourplexes to see how they work, and if favourable, we will be moving forward with that.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if those units are restricted to single people and how do you prevent couples from moving into those units, because there would be more people they'd have more points? I'd like to know how the Housing Corporation was able to sort out that issue.

Those units are only for single people within the Northwest Territories. In the same manner that we have units that are designated only for seniors we will have units that are designated only for singles.

Mr. Speaker, it's a huge issue in the NWT, especially in the small communities, many singles do not have housing. So if we're now building units that are specific to single people is that program going to be expanded into all communities in the NWT.

That is a really tough question to answer directly and say yes or no. The reality is that we are in the process of doing the engagement survey, we have committed to doing community plans, individual community plans, for each community. If a community states to us that singles in their community is their number one priority, then that's where we'd be focusing our efforts. So it does depend on what the community surveys come back with.

Mr. Speaker, are those units a part of the public housing inventory managed by local housing organization, or are they going to be managed by some other organization in the community?

The units that I've talked about, the pilot project, are actually managed by communities themselves. They are not managed by the housing corporation. As stated before, this is a pilot project, and so we're going to do an analysis to see how they work. After a year and at that point we'll determine whether we continue with that model or if we have to change our model to more accommodate the needs.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I heard the Minister of Transportation give a statement earlier today about new transportation corridors, and in there he mentions that a route has been identified for the Slave Geological Province. Can the Minister tell this House, is there actually a business case that's been prepared for this road route? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is no, I do not believe there's a business case developed for this quarter yet.

In his statement, he says that a route has been identified that will provide the greatest economic benefit to the region in the Northwest Territories. So I'm just wondering can the Minister tell us how were environmental effects considered in the route identification?

That would be determined through an environmental assessment and we aren't at that stage yet. The early work to determine a route was through the Geological Survey of Canada and input from the Chamber of Mines and others in the area how we would proceed with this road through different routing.

Well, it's interesting that we can locate a road based on economic benefits but we can't perhaps change the routing in terms of environmental effects, but we have to wait for environmental assessment, so I'm wondering can the Minister then commit to table a map of this route in the House, and on that map could he also show key caribou habitat?

I can table a map on the various routes that were proposed for this. As far as the caribou habitat, that would have to be something that would be considered to the Minster of ENR.

Glad to hear that we're going to get a map of the route that he mentions in his statement today, but can he then commit to work with his colleague that sits next to him in terms of getting us a map of key caribou habitat, and the reason why I'm saying this, Mr. Speaker, is the Bathurst caribou herd is a desperate situation, and we know where the post-calving, calving grounds of the herd are. I'm concerned about this road and it's routing, whether it's going to disrupt the caribou herd. So can the Minister commit to work with his colleague to table a map in this House that shows the route of the road in relation to key caribou habitat for the Bathurst caribou herd?

The Department of Transportation works with all the key stakeholders on any proposed roading or highway in the Northwest Territories, and I can commit to the Member we will be working closely with ENR in any such a proposal and any other department that this takes into account including Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Masi. Time for questions period has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner’s opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committee on the review of bills. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Development has reviewed Bill 6, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016, and Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act and wishes to report that Bill 6 and Bill 8 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Bill 6 and Bill 8 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Member for Nahendeh.