Good afternoon, colleagues. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, one of the commitments the Government of the Northwest Territories has made for investing in early childhood development includes improving access to and outcomes of early intervention services by continuing pilot projects in the Deh Cho, Tlicho and Beaufort Delta regions. I am pleased to report that the three early childhood development intervention pilot projects established as part of the GNWT’s Framework and Action Plan for Early Childhood Development are well underway.

These pilots will contribute new knowledge about regional and community-based early childhood development intervention service delivery models. Each of these three unique pilot projects was designed to address the needs of its region and the results will be applied to improve early childhood development intervention across the Northwest Territories.

To ensure effective pilot projects, the Department of Health and Social Services worked directly with three regions and two Aboriginal governments, to create these pilots. Today I would like to acknowledge the partnerships and the milestones reached with each of these pilots.

Our first pilot is a partnership with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. This pilot trains day care workers, family and child support workers, families and others working with or around children in early childhood development support techniques, starting with language and speech development strategies. The second project through the Tlicho Community

Services Agency is the Speech Language Pathologist Plan. It involves working with children and staff at the day cares and with children and guardians in one-on-one sessions. The third pilot project, in the Deh Cho Region, is an Early Childhood Development Intervention Plan. An early childhood intervention coordinator will be trained to link children and families to services and programs, ensuring through follow up that they are receiving services and programs.

I'm confident that each of these three pilot projects will further the goal of achieving the best possible developmental outcomes for children in our smaller communities, providing them with the same advantages as those living in larger centres. By investing in early childhood development, the GNWT is investing in a future where people are productive and contributing members of family, community and society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister Responsible for Homelessness.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, homelessness in our communities is a critical issue that we need to address together. Homelessness is complex and affected by many factors. People who are homeless often have traumatic past and current lives, most struggle with mental health issues, behavioural concerns, and/or addictions that need to be addressed. Because homelessness is complex, approaches that don’t include collaboration, or that are not sustainable don’t work.

Collaboration begins with those with lived experience, it extends to all sectors of government, and to each of us as individuals. As Minister responsible for Addressing Homelessness, the first priority was to listen to those currently homeless and agencies providing support to homeless people. This was the objective of the Yellowknife Homelessness Forum conducted in April, 2016. Recommendations were gathered and two working groups were formed in collaboration with other Government of the Northwest Territories departments, non-government organizations, Yellowknife Dene First Nation and the City of Yellowknife.

The first working group comprised of non-government organizations, and government officials reviewed Government of the Northwest Territories policies and provided a listing of policies that impacted people’s ability to obtain and retain housing. A Government of the Northwest Territories interdepartmental working group is utilizing this information to begin working on improving policy integration and better co-ordination of services, as part of the mandate commitment to review homeless supports and improve policy and program consistency between departments. The working group is examining ways to address service gaps, duplications, and barriers contributing to homelessness. This group will also consider issues such as housing instability, mental health, addictions, poverty, domestic violence, child intervention and justice-system involvement. The policy review conducted through the Yellowknife Homelessness Forum will also be included in a full review of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation policies to begin in January, 2017, once all feedback from our engagement survey are received and compiled.

The second working group from the Homelessness Forum was headed by the Mayor of the City of Yellowknife and included a cross section of homelessness stakeholders including the Government of the Northwest Territories. This group was responsible for compiling the forum recommendations, examining and prioritizing these suggestions. This work has concluded and the group’s top recommendations include continued support for Housing First, creating semi-independent units in unused shelter space, extension of overnight shelter hours, a street outreach program and development of a 10- year homelessness plan. Although the work of this group has concluded, the Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to work with the City of Yellowknife and other stakeholders to address the priorities identified within this report as per the mandate commitment to work in partnership with other orders of government to address affordable housing requirements.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has already begun implementing some of the priorities identified. The Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to develop program approaches such as Housing First. Housing First is an approach used in other jurisdictions that involves collaborative service delivery and avoids an organization-by-organization approach. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation supports this approach and will be providing $150,000 to support the Yellowknife Women’s Society in implementing Housing First in Yellowknife. There is also $600,000 budgeted to create new semi-independent units for chronically homeless individuals within overnight emergency shelters. Due to space limitations within the shelters, we are only able to provide 15 individual units at this time. It is important to note that these units will also follow a Housing First model in that they are for chronically homeless individuals, they are not transitional, and services will be offered as per the need and desire of the tenant.

Mr. Speaker, these are highlights from the priorities the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has identified, but the partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services in addressing the issues related to homelessness also needs to be mentioned. Some highlights from the Department of Health and Social Services include the agreement with the Northwest Territories Disabilities Council over the summer to expand the provision of services for the Safe Harbour Day Shelter in Yellowknife. By the end of this year, the Safe Harbour Day Shelter will be open 12-hours a day, seven-days a week.

Minister Abernethy has also directed the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, Yellowknife region, to complete the design for a sobering centre program in Yellowknife. They are actively seeking an appropriate location, and working to identify funds from within the Government of the Northwest Territories to support this program. These actions are a first step towards responding to the road map recommendations. Other initiatives through Health and Social Services such as the Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan and the Mental Health and Addictions Framework will also support an integrated continuum of services which may contribute to a reduction in homelessness.

As stated earlier, the Government of the Northwest Territories is mandated to work with other orders of government to address affordable housing requirements. As such, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is lobbying hard within the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministerial meetings. The federal government is listening and has agreed to implement a northern pillar within the National Housing Strategy. They are also considering accessibility within this strategy. The Government of the Northwest Territories is hopeful that the roll out of the National Housing Strategy, and specifically the northern pillar, will allow us to expand on our supports to homeless people throughout the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, no one approach will get us to where we need to be. We need to provide options, we need to implement a number of actions, and we need to work together. Only by working together with our partners, including other levels of government and community organizations will we strengthen services to address homelessness and provide effective support to those in need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier

Mr. Speaker, the vision of a strong, healthy territory is shared by the Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly, Northwest Territories residents, non-governmental organizations across the Northwest Territories, and by our public servants. Investing in our people through organizations such as the United Way Northwest Territories brings us closer to that vision. On behalf of myself and my co-chair Todd Parsons, President of the Union of Northern Workers, I am pleased to announce this year’s staff payroll campaign kicked-off on Friday, October 21, 2016.

Mr. Speaker, United Way is committed to investing in the health and well-being of our people and our communities and building prosperity in the Northwest Territories through three areas of focus:

● From poverty to possibility. Moving people out of poverty and meeting basic human needs;

● Healthy people, strong communities. Improving access to social and health-related support services, supporting resident and community engagement, and supporting community integration and settlement; and

● All that kids can be. Improving access to early childhood and development learning programs, helping kids do well and complete high school, and supporting the healthy transition into adulthood and post-secondary education.

Mr. Speaker, through the annual month-long GNWT Workplace Campaign, employees and Members of the Legislative Assembly can sign up for payroll deductions. Participation is voluntary and provides an easy way to give to the United Way and other registered non-profit organizations that are based in and focus on the Northwest Territories. Many of you are donors already and I thank you for your generosity. I encourage others to think about what a difference your donation, no matter how small, can make in the lives of Northerners.

This is the 14th year of the campaign, and we hope to meet our goal of 10 per cent employee participation. I understand departmental coordinators are organizing events until November 25th to promote the campaign and to raise money for United Way. I encourage all Government of the Northwest Territories employees to consider how they could help support their departmental coordinators as they raise money for this worthy cause.

The United Way has had a positive impact on the people of our Territory. Over the past five years, approximately $435,000 has been distributed to various registered charities across the Northwest Territories. Last year, the United Way invested over $90,000 in 20 different projects. This year, because of an increase in donations, $155,000 was distributed to 21 organizations across the Northwest Territories.

For the first time ever, we were able to introduce a multi-year funding pilot project which provides $15,000 a year, for three years, to the Pan-Territorial NWT Breast Health/Cancer Action/Awareness Group. This multi-year agreement will allow the organization to better plan and implement programs that will have a real impact on the lives of people living in our communities.

I want to thank all the contributors and volunteers of the United Way and to chair, Tracy St. Denis of Industry, Tourism and Investment, our Government of the Northwest Territories’ Workplace Campaign departmental coordinators and all the employees that are donating and signing up for payroll deductions. Your efforts are making a difference and I am excited about the opportunity that we have to do even more. As the United Way slogan says "Change Starts Here," and we all have an opportunity to be part of the change.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members’ statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] I would like to talk today about the children that are -- about the people that are giving them employment. [Translation ends] I'd like to talk about summer students. Mr. Speaker, this government and this Cabinet must step up to the plate to give our post-secondary students every opportunity for success. This means giving these students a good summer job and there are none better than a job at the GNWT. Our government must set aside money that usually goes to salaries to proactively seek our students to work for us. It will take some effort and that seems to be the main obstacle. The Minister of Human Resources has advised this House that hiring decisions for summer students, like all staffing, is the responsibility of the department and agency managers. There is nobody leading the process and there appears to be no political will to put effort forward.

Mr. Speaker, in 2015 the GNWT hired 341 summer students out of 612 who applied. For the summer of 2017 I recommend the Department of Human Resources roll out a plan to support the GNWT to hire a minimum of 400 summer students. Every Minister in the House should be held accountable for student hiring in their departments and for meeting set targets. In addition to this, I recommend that the Department of Education create a subsidy for small businesses to enable them to be competitive in hiring students; the same pool of money can be used. Mr. Speaker, I don't wish to go into the details now but a simple $4 or $5 subsidy for small businesses or one that is designated to be paid directly to the student by ECE will also work.

Our government has a public service of approximately 5,100 employees and carries a workforce vacancy of nine to 11 per cent. This means at any given time we have 500 vacant jobs. It would only take about 100 to 120 of these vacancies to complete this very important task of showing our post-secondary students that we stand behind them as a government and that we want to help them develop skills they need to succeed and work in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement

---Unanimous consent granted

Marci cho. Mr. Speaker, I do not want to hear all the excuses why we can't do this. The Ministers of Human Resources and ECE must do something different; something that will make a difference. Let's tell our students all the reasons why we can and will do this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak about seniors developing and maintaining physical literacy. Physical literacy is a long-time journey; however, it doesn't matter if you start when you're older. It is about a life choice that you need to make. Mr. Speaker, there are lot of different interpretations of physical literacy, but the one I like is each person's level of physical literacy partly depends on the fundamental movement skills, confidence level, degree of motivation and the ABC's of movement which is agility, balance, coordination and speed.

Mr. Speaker, people believe that the term "fundamental movement skills" is very similar as physical literacy. I believe this is a mistake. In fact, fundamental movement skills are only one important element of physical literacy. According to the Canadian Sports Centre, fundamental movement skills include basic movement such as throwing, kicking, running, jumping, hopping and catching. For most, these skills are learnt as a child; it creates a solid physical ability foundation. A good way to understand these concepts is to take fundamental movement skills as building blocks of physical literacy. Although fundamental movement skills and ABCs of movement can be learned at any age, it typically takes more time and practice for older adults to develop fundamental movement skills, especially compared to their childhood or teenage years. However, in saying this, it is never too late to start.

Mr. Speaker, older adults need to have a minimum level of physical literacy to gain the health and other benefits associated with participating in physical activities such as sports, exercise, work-related activities, and daily leaving.

People need to recognize that over time, adult physical literacy may diminish depending on factors such as lifestyle, health status, age, participation in sport, regular physical activity, workplace demands and work environments, daily habits, and preferred interests. Mr. Speaker, a person's level of physical literacy directly impacts daily living activities. It is important to start and maintain physical literacy as it helps individuals to gain associated health benefits. As important as physical literacy is, I am not sure the government is doing enough for the older adults of our population. Today I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about an issue that affects everyone, either now or later. That is about aging in place, how our community respond to our seniors and elders with the passage of time. Aging in place is a concept that has a broad meaning. There is a tendency to think that it simply means putting in handrails or stair lifts or an alarm system, doing some home renovations so it is a little easier for seniors to get around. That way, they can stay in their homes for as long as possible as they get older and their needs change.

Modification and modernization of the home is certainly an important part of aging in place. Ramps, lifts, handrails are important renovations to help seniors live more safely and comfortably. But the concept of aging in place is much broader than just renovations, Mr. Speaker. It doesn't only happen in the home; it happens throughout the community. It is about how we respond to the needs of seniors and elders on many different levels. It is how we make a place for them in the daily life of our family and community. It involves how we configure public transportation services and direct transportation resources. It involves enhancing and improving accessibility to public spaces and buildings. It involves public services and recognition of specific needs for elders. It involves creative entrepreneurship, creating business services and retail opportunities designed to suit the needs of seniors. It is about health, exercise and nutrition, and the services we put in place in support of these. It is about medical services and how we tailor our health system to elders' needs. It is about communications, family and social networks, finding or creating communities of common interest and activities. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, it is about safety and security for elders, providing resources to identify and avoid fraud and elder abuse.

We must honour our elders and seniors, Mr. Speaker. It is an important part of our identity. But to make a policy of aging in place a reality, we must evaluate and commit to some very concrete, practical solutions to some of the problems and challenges faced by our seniors in our communities. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, skin irritation, coughing, fever, shortness of breath, night asthma, and even respiratory infections, all of these can be caused by one thing: mould in the house. As Health Canada tells us, mould is the word used to describe the fungus that grows on food or damp materials, like windowsills, carpets or walls of kitchens, bathrooms or other areas where moisture is in the air. When mould grows, it releases spores into the air, and when people breathe in these spores, their health can be affected. Infants, children, and the elderly are particularly susceptible. It is elders I want to talk about today, Mr. Speaker.

In my riding, in the Hamlet of Fort Providence, residents have discovered mould in several homes belonging to community elders. Several elders moved out on September 12th after receiving a one-day notice to move out. The affected homes are part of old housing stock built in the 1970s, and their concrete basements provide the ideal damp environment for mould growth. To protect their health, affected elders have left the comfort of their homes to stay with family and friends. But after a long period of disruption, they are eager to return to their homes.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, they are unable to do that. While contractors are working to remediate the homes that have been affected, they are working according to their own schedules. This slow pace is keeping Fort Providence elders from living in the comfort and safety of their own healthy, mould-free homes. This must be addressed properly and completely as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my statement is in regards to the Nutrition North program, a federal initiative. It is, in all principles, a great program addressing the high cost of living in our small, northern, remote communities. However, with local, agricultural, home growers subsidizing the recipients of the program, it creates an advantage for larger retailers. Mr. Speaker, currently the program is under public engagement process. Nutrition North reviews include town hall meetings, interviews, public input through the media between May and November 2016 to seek public input on suggestions for redesigning what is in place for a better system tomorrow. That invitation on input is what I will be addressing to the appropriate Minister later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Local species can teach us a lot to about the past, but also the future. More salmon are appearing in fishers' nets along the Mackenzie River system and in the Arctic Ocean and earlier in the summer than ever before. One was caught near Yellowknife this past week.

Mr. Speaker, chum salmon have always been caught in the Northwest Territories, but now they are being caught farther north and in greater numbers. People wonder what this means for species like Arctic Char. Mr. Speaker, naturally, Pacific salmon are mostly found in the North Pacific Basin, from northern California to the northwestern margin of Alaska. But more and more salmon are showing up in the Northwest Territories overall. These changes were first noticed and reported by local subsistence fishers. Many of them have since helped with research into this change in salmon habitat.

Part of this research has involved determining how salmon eggs are able to endure Arctic winters and hatch at just the right time for young salmon to reach the Arctic Ocean. Climate change could be responsible for the warmer water that allows the eggs to survive. There are many unanswered questions about salmon and other species' new relationship with the Arctic environment.

Local fishers and traditional knowledge can help answer those questions by providing firsthand knowledge of the river, the Delta and the Beaufort Sea. They were encouraged to report salmon catches to research teams. Shifts and changes in salmon distribution and range are indicators of changes to the entire Arctic ecosystem. If these changes become permanent, it may result in the salmon changing those ecosystems more and impacting other native fish species like Arctic Char. The people of the Beaufort Delta region have relied on Arctic char for countless generations.

The salmon have a lot to teach us about our changing climate, and what species can tolerate and adapt to. Understanding these changes is key to preparing for the future of the Arctic. Mr. Speaker, that understanding is why scientific research and traditional knowledge are so important. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was told that when it comes to eliminating programs, the departments prefer death by a thousand cuts. They take a little bit at a time, over and over again, and before you know it, there's nothing left. Well, I have to hand it to MACA. They're very efficient. They've proposed to eliminate all funding for ground ambulance and highway rescue services in only two cuts. This information was made public this morning during a briefing with Minister Cochrane. Last year the funding was $400,000. This year it's $180,000. Next year, the department proposes a budget of $0.

As I've said in this House before, no level of government is responsible for providing highway rescue services, and as a result, the communities that do provide it aren't funded accordingly. At today's briefing, we were told that the ability to provide lifesaving services to victims on the highway is a priority but not a high enough priority. Also not a high priority is addressing the fact that 27 communities in the territory completely lack any sort of ambulance services. Some communities have fire departments which can provide emergency medical services, but, according to the Auditor General's report, MACA couldn't tell you which ones.

Mr. Speaker, the line from this government has consistently been that we're broke and we have to live within our means. I agree. We have to live within our means. We also have to make sure people live, period. I hoped that at today's briefing, MACA would present a solution. I hoped that the legislation to designate authority over highway rescue was in the works or that comprehensive funding was being unveiled. Instead, we were told MACA wants to cut what little funding there is and communities will be forced to find monies from within their current budgets.

With a $40-million funding shortfall for communities already, this proposed cut adds insult to injury. Even though it's inadequate, the funding is used to buy things like defibrillators and jaws of life, breathing apparatus, vehicle extraction training, and this year, in Hay River, a radio tower that allows fire fighters to communicate over hundreds of kilometres of highway. These are essential tools needed to save lives. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of public safety. This government can't continue to ignore its ethical and moral responsibility to protect the lives of our citizens and visitors to the territory. Mr. Speaker, I truly believe that the Minister means well, but shame on the department if they pursue this cut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Recent proposals to transfer lottery administration to GNWT coffers have raised a number of questions regarding the future of support for sports and recreation. One critical part of this picture for me is the state of funding to better support seniors in staying active through sports. Funding for senior sports has fallen sharply in recent years.

Seniors' representatives who have been in touch with me indicate that the ability of seniors to participate in the national Canada 55+ Games has been severely curtailed. I'm told that Municipal and Community Affairs has been in touch with a seniors' sport and recreation representative and a proposal is under development to support sport and recreation activities for seniors. The Minister has reported to me that the department is working with organizations that currently provide sport and recreation programs to seniors to ensure that they provide the same or an increased level of programming in 2017-2018 and beyond. This would include programming through the Elders in Motion program and the Canada 55+ Games.

However, I'm told that MACA does not have any internal programs that specifically support sport and recreation for seniors. It doesn't seem that there will be any new external sources of funds for seniors' sports. Will the transfer of lottery funds into the GNWT allow for some sort of an investment in support of seniors' sports and recreation? Finally, I'm told that MACA will also be consulting with seniors and elders to see what additional sport and recreation services might be provided through communities and sport and recreation organizations. That's good, but, without the dollars, the consultations will be less than productive. I can't think of anything more obvious than the fact that active seniors are healthy seniors, which will save us big dollars in areas like healthcare for unhealthy seniors. Seniors' sports and recreation funding is a good investment in controlling healthcare costs, so how committed are we, Mr. Speaker? I'll have questions for the Minister and trust that the old mantra of tough fiscal times and the $150-million reduction target will not be trotted out again. Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, those of us who live downtown in Yellowknife have witnessed how dramatically it's changed in the last few years. I've received numerous complaints from residents who find the downtown a more challenging place to live because of a growing population of people who are homeless and/or intoxicated. According to a City of Yellowknife report, the use of emergency shelters increased 14 per cent in just one year, 2015. The RCMP decision not to take intoxicated people into custody just because they are intoxicated has produced a 30 per cent increase in ambulance rides and swamped Stanton Hospital's emergency department.

Mr. Speaker, the good news is that all orders of government have come together to provide a comprehensive and coordinated response to the needs of the street people in my riding. Instead of continuing to respond to the issues on an ad hoc basis, there is now a plan for downtown Yellowknife. I want to thank the working group that produced that road map under the leadership of Mayor Mark Heyck. They've developed a suite of short, medium, and long-term actions that give me hope that downtown will be changed for the better of all of us.

Mr. Speaker, the changes proposed in this report begin with embracing the concept of harm reduction. Instead of marginalizing people who are homeless and/or intoxicated, the road map will provide services that recognize and respond to their complex needs. Once fully implemented, we will have 15 semi-independent living units in emergency shelters and they'll be available to clients 24 hours a day; we'll have central intake for people who need help with housing, mental health, and addictions issues; we'll have a street outreach program that will identify and assist people who are intoxicated and take them to a new safe place to sober up.

These interventions will not only help the people they are intended to serve but will also take the pressure off first responders, whose services are needed by all of us, not just the street people. We've gone from being baffled by the problem to embracing it, and that's a tremendous accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that investment in prevention pays off. The investment required to implement the plan is relatively modest, in the order of a million dollars a year. Stack that against the social, human, and economic cost to citizens in the community and the decision to invest is simply the right thing to do. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Auditor General's audit of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs found that the department failed to adequately support community governments in their delivery of essential services, and, although the department monitored community governments' provision of some of these services, it failed to ensure that these met their basic requirements, namely the health and safety of Northerners. To put it simply Mr. Speaker, the department did not do their job.

MACA has accepted all of the recommendations and committed to updating their policies and accommodate the findings of the audit, but, Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time they have committed to improving their support for our communities. In fact, time and time again, they have made the same promises over the long history of this department, and they have, time and time again, failed to live up to these commitments. Northerners expect more than lip service this time. They want results and that this House will hold the government accountable to its citizens' expectations.

Over the years, MACA has centralized its policies, pulling away from the communities they serve. At one point local governments were asked to provide feedback on the performance of the department's regional offices, but this practice has since stopped, cutting off the department from crucial feedback to improve its operations. Since the New Deal, communities have been given more responsibilities and authority but without the necessary capacity building to successfully complete these transfers of power. The department has known about this capacity gap since 2009, so, Mr. Speaker, this concern is not something new to the department, nor is it new to the Minister.

Mr. Speaker, the New Deal should have been an initiative to empower decision-making in our communities. Instead, it appears to have allowed this government to download its responsibilities onto local government without the capacity to manage these crucial aspects of public government. It is unacceptable to me to see our small governments overburdened and set up for failure by a lack of preparation and support on behalf of the department. Only in the face of public scrutiny, Mr. Speaker, has the department accepted responsibility. I hope that this new Minister will now rise to the occasion and clearly correct these problems without delay, for, when it comes to the health and safety of our citizens, no excuses are acceptable and its time for this department to make things right. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the staff of the Status of Women Council of the NWT. They are Samantha Thomas, Lorraine Phaneuf, the executive director, and Annemieke Mulders, and I'd like to welcome them to the House today.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Mr. Todd Parsons. I'm not sure he's still here, but he was with us earlier. He's the president of the Union of Northern Workers and one of the co-sponsors of the United Way program here, in Yellowknife. I want to thank him for all the work that he does on behalf of our employees. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a Yellowknife North resident, as well the chair of the United Way for the Northwest Territories, Tracy St. Denis. I also too want to take this opportunity to recognize Lorraine, Annemieke and Samantha who are all with the Status of Women, for being here in the House today. Thank you and welcome.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize my wife, Lori Schumann, and I too would also like to recognize Tracy St. Denis for all the work with the United Way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Lorraine Phaneuf, Samantha Doucet and Annemieke Mulders who have done so much great work promoting women's equity in the Northwest Territories and good friends of mine. So thanks for being here today.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be remiss if I didn't also recognize Lorraine, Annemieke and Sammie as the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. I'm really grateful that you're here. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize the pages from Ecole Boreale that are here with us also all week, Victoria Tweedie-Pitre and Reegan Jungkind. I want to thank them for their excellent work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Did we miss anyone in the gallery? Welcome to the Chamber. It's always great to have an audience as part of the proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to rise in the House to inform you that Mr. Frederick (Sonny) Williams McLeod, 82 years old, entered into peace on Thursday, September 15, 2016. Mr. McLeod's final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Fred had an effect on each of us in some way throughout his memorable life. It is comforting to know both Fred and Violet have given themselves to the Lord. He now joins his wife, Violet, in paradise. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod are survived by their five children and their spouses, ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. He will be sadly missed. My condolences go out to his family. Thank you.

Masi. Our prayers out to the family as well. Masi. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my question is for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Earlier on I spoke about active fish species, and my first question to the Minister, Mr. Speaker, is how is the department involved in monitoring changes to species range and habitat? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Environmental and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, they do have the lead role in managing Canada's fisheries including those in the NWT. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, we're responsible for managing sport fishing regulations and issuing licenses to NWT residents and visitors. We also provide funding through the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program to conduct studies on salmon, among a number of other things. In the case of salmon, this is a partnership approach with the University of Manitoba and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to determine how the movement of salmon into new habitat will affect species like char and act as indicators to climate change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, my second question to the Minister is can the Minister explain how invasive species are different from species like Chum salmon that are becoming more widespread in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the change in climate is causing a movement and introduction of new species in the NWT every year. The impacts of these new species are complex and will take some time to determine how they affect our ecosystem. Invasive alien species are generally species that are introduced by people and the movement of salmon to different parts of the Northwest Territories is naturally occurring, not by people, and the salmon are therefore called invasive alien species. They are considered pioneering species.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my third question is how has the department incorporated traditional knowledge into this work on invasive species?

Mr. Speaker, the knowledge of your elders is essential and very important to tracking and learning about changes in our climate. There are observations of species changing ranges and habitats and the new introduction of species is how these changes will affect our ecosystem. ENR works with elders at wildlife workshops in the regions and collect this valuable information to help us with our added adaptation to climate change and the experience and the knowledge that they bring is very important to the work we do at ENR.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, my final question for the Minister is does the department have concerns that species that are migrating further north with drive out plants and animals that have been the keystone of northern landscape and harvested from the land for a millennia?

Mr. Speaker, the department, we share these concerns with these species working their way further migrating. However, as our climate is changing we are starting to see the movement of new species out of their natural ranges to the Northwest Territories, and it's awfully difficult with climate change for us to stop these migrations, and it's just something that we have to adapt to and try to work with and see what type of an effect it will have on our ecosystems, and we will continue to do that work and keep Members apprised as to the work we're doing.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

MR.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I talked about my communication with the MACA Minister on the support for seniors and sports and recreation. In reply, the Minister indicated that her department is actively encouraging development of an application to support these types of services. How actively though is the department involved? That is, has the department proactively assigned an expert policy program delivery staff to assist in the drafting of proposals or is it simply asking seniors representatives to develop applications and come back with further revisions? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. There are a couple questions there. Minister for Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm assuming that'll count for two of the questions then. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is actually very active in trying to support seniors. We recognize that we need to address more and not only from seniors but from cradle to grave, and so we need to address the whole spectrum of sports and recreation within our territories.

So on that end, I mean we do provide some support currently. We support the Elders in Motion Program through the NWT Recreation and Parks Association and the Canada 55+ Games which is provided through Sport North. Of the 55+ Games, 38 athletes actually attended from the Northwest Territories. They competed in nine sports and won a total of 16 medals in swimming, bowling, cycling and darts. They received $14,000 from Sport North this past summer and it covered uniforms and pins. But we do recognize that we still have a long way to go, and so like I had said yesterday in question period we are in the process of contacting and I know we’ve reached some, I don't know if we've reached them all -- we're contacting all the five sports and recreation associations to bring them to a table. Our plan is to address all of the gaps and the duplications that these organizations are providing at this point. Seniors, youth, all of that will be put on the table to address that and then we'll be working with them to develop a new business plan to see where they can go forward with the fiscal constraints where we are today.

So we are recognizing that we have a long way to go but we're being very proactive in actually trying to address the needs of all residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think I heard a little slip there; the word "fiscal" came into the picture. I did want to ask the Minister, I've got some ideas here, but in view of that MACA only delivers their programs through third parties at the present time, why doesn't MACA include specific terms and conditions in their agreements with these organizations, requiring funding such as a percent of budgets, specific dollar amounts, or required minimal amounts be dedicated to seniors?

Currently, we don't have anything within our application process that I know that states what programs or financial amounts that we dedicate specifically for seniors. But, like stated in my previous answer, we are bringing all of the organizations together to see if we can actually address better the needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories. I will carry forward the Member's comments to that meeting with the organizations and see if there is more that we can do.

Again, I appreciate the response from the Minister. I wouldn't mind being a fly on the wall in that meeting. Can the Minister commit to report back to Members the results of this meeting, identifying gaps and what sort of commitments might be made with regard to support for seniors in sports and recreation?

Like I said before, we are bringing the organizations together. It probably will be a little bit of a process to get through identifying what the duplications are, what the gaps are, who's going to take them on, how we develop that, where we go forward, but I can commit to once all of that information is received that I will put that forward to all of the Members of Legislative Assembly.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Again, I appreciate the response from the Minister. The Minister sort of outlined what might be a rather lengthy process here and I'm just a bit concerned about that. Does the Minister have any sense of what the timing of these meetings are and who is going to be invited? Could she just give us a few details about that? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

So I can say that the five sports and rec organizations will be at the table. I can get a list of the five. I knew it yesterday, I'm thinking I'm forgetting a few of them today so I don't want to state and forget some of them, so I will provide that to the Members. The timeline is difficult. It's really hard to say what time that it will be finished. I am respectful that there are some issues with the groups; they might not want to hear about overlaps, there might be some contention. So I can commit, though, that it is a priority for me and that as soon as the results are in I will get that to Members, but I can't say specifically when because it will depend on the feedback and the interactions that we have with the organizations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member's statement I spoke about the importance of physical literacy for older adults. I'm not talking about sport, I'm not talking about recreation; I'm talking about physical literacy. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs advise this House what the department is doing for older adults as it relates to their physical literacy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

As stated earlier, currently the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is providing funding to NWT Recreation and Parks Association, which is one of the five, for the Elders in Motion program, and we're also providing it for the Canada 55+ Games. We do recognize that there is an issue with physical literacy and so that will be a topic that's on the agenda.

I should also state that there has been a representative from one of the seniors' organizations that has recently come forward and asked if we would consider working with them also to provide a new program for seniors. I don't have the details on that, but I do know that we have expressed more than interest in working with senior groups to provide supports to seniors.

I thank the Minister for her answer. I guess I'm a little bit concerned. We're talking about third-party funding, so the department gives funding to the two of the partners to run events. But I guess my thing is I was looking for the department, and I appreciate that they're working with the seniors, or older adults as they want to be called. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I spoke about some of the benefits of physical literacy for older adults. Can the Minister advise the House if the department is willing to promote the benefits of physical literacy to the residents of the NWT?

Yes, I think that we don't do a good job in actually promoting the benefits of sports and recreation. I think we do but we could do better, and so we will work on developing that as well. Again, it is something that we should be bringing to the five organizations because I also think that they have a role in the promotion of sports and recreation throughout the Northwest Territories. So again, like I said, I will commit to bringing that issue to the table when we meet with them all and see if it becomes solely a department issue or if it's something that all of the organizations should take part in, because, in my personal opinion, I believe it should be a shared responsibility.

I thank the Minister for her answer, but we need leadership, that's what we're looking for, and we need the department to show the leadership then the five partners will follow in stride with it. Physical literacy is important. It's just not sports, it's just not recreation, it's about wellness we're looking for. I realize older adults and seniors cross over other departments. Can the Minister advise the House if there's a committee, Ministers, or departmental staff that work together to help provide older adults with programs to help improve their lives?

At this time no, there is not an interdepartmental committee to look at sports, rec and physical literacy for people in the Northwest Territories. That is the responsibility of the Municipal and Community Affairs.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I actually learned something today on this file. I thought that there would be an ECE, Health and Department of MACA working looking after seniors and that's, you know, promoting their health and that and I wish we would work with that.

Mr. Speaker, this past June I read in the news that the Department provided little if no support for the 50+ Games. I've heard the Minister say that there were some pins and uniforms and that. Actually, one of your colleagues actually attended the games and did quite well, I heard, and I thank him for, you know, promoting physical literacy and a better way of life. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain to the House why is it the department provides little or no support for these type of games for seniors? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm going to take the opportunity to actually address two issues that was brought up by the Member. The first one was that there is no coordination within the departments to deal with seniors specific; that is not true. My understanding was there is an interdepartmental group. There is no interdepartmental group; however, we do have a Minister responsible for seniors who works with all of the departments to compile the information supports and to lobby and advocate with us to provide supports to seniors.

The second thing I will address is the question. It was talking about the 55+. Like I said, we did give $14,000 to Sport North this summer for the 55+ games. They used it to cover uniforms and pins. But we have made a commitment, and that was from the past Minister and it still follows through with myself as the new Minister, that every organization will receive the same amount of funding as they got last year and, if not, then maybe more. I will honour that commitment, and I do promise that there will be at least the amount of funding if not more for seniors. I have a personal stake in this as well. I am over 55. I want to make sure that we take care of ours. I don't want to be one of the people that fall off and aren't physically active. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health on the question of funding and support for seniors, in particular aging in place. Mr. Speaker, the Minister recently stated that while federal health funding is diminishing, there is a new funding anticipated. Can the Minister provide the status of that funding and indicate to the assembly, if approved, what will it be used for? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the federal election, there was an indication that there would be money allocated to provinces and territories by the federal government, about $3.9 billion over a four-year period. We don't actually know how they plan to distribute those dollars or what the criteria is for utilizing those dollars are. If past predicts future, and they use the same types of formula as they have in the past, which is often population-based, we could get as much as $3.6 million over the four years, which works out to just over $900,000 a year.

We, and all the other provinces and territories, are working with the federal government to figure out how to distribute those funds and what those funds can be utilized for. It is clear that it is for home care but not the scope and nature. In the past, there have been some concerns about some of the federal dollars that are rolled out that have been very specific. There hasn't been a lot of flexibility. The provinces and territories are suggesting to Ottawa that our needs across this country are different, and there needs to be some room for flexibility.

One of our concerns about the dollars, when they do flow, is they are often referred to as boutique funds or short-term funds. We will get four years of money, and we have to be cautious about setting up programs or delivering programs that become expected and we are required to continue to deliver them because the federal money will end. As we are accessing these monies, we need to figure out how to ensure that we are either set up to continue programs or that they are utilized to help us design programs that we then have to come to this House to fund. But as the Member knows, we do have financial challenges here in the Northwest Territories. We need to make choices here in this building about cuts, reductions, corrections in order to invest in new initiatives. We are all going to have to work together to find out where the money is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for his response. Mr. Speaker, the question I would like to ask, the "Our Elders: Our Communities" frameworks speaks of the need to support seniors in aging in place in the community to delay the need for long-term care. Can the Minister elaborate on some of the steps that are being taken to support aging in place in our communities?

Mr. Speaker, I have mentioned it before. We are working on a continuing care services action plan, which is helping us to quantify the needs and demands out there for things like home care and other supports that we can be providing for our seniors. We hope to have that action plan done by the end of this fiscal year, at which point I will be coming to committee to have some discussions on the plan itself and how we can work together to roll that plan out and make sure that we are meeting the broad range of needs of seniors across this territory.

I appreciate the response and am looking forward to that plan. My next question, Mr. Speaker, is a disturbing trend is that of elders being neglected or taken advantage of or even abused. Can the Minister describe how the department is collaborating with the NWT Seniors' Society in developing training for the prevention of abuse of elders?

Mr. Speaker, this is a serious issue, not just in the Northwest Territories, but across Canada. We have made dollars available to the NWT Seniors' Society, who I do have to applaud for the amazing work that they have done on creating programs and awareness around elder abuse here in the Northwest Territories. We have made technical staff available to them, as they need, to help with information, but they have really taken the lead on the development of this. We do what we can to help promote it and to get that information out there.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks again to the Minister for his response. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my statement, an important element of healthy aging is in engagement with social circles and activities within the communities. Can the Minister describe ways the department is trying to make that happen, even in the smaller communities? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, traditionally, we have supported some of the different senior societies around the Northwest Territories who have done a lot of this work. But in our design of independent living units and other facilities around the Northwest Territories, we have actually allowed for space where seniors can get together and do programming, whether we are delivering the programming or whether it is community groups who are delivering the programs.

I would suggest that the Member or any of the Members have an opportunity to take a look at one of our new independent living units put together by the Housing Corp, such as the one at Fort Liard. Go check it out, see the space that is available, and you will get a sense of the type of space we are trying to create for individuals to do group activities and gatherings to support socialization.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today on the Nutrition North program is addressed to the Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs. The question is we have an NWT agricultural strategy, and with the Nutrition North program, I am wondering if there is a willingness to move ahead in merging both counterparts on the program delivery and if the Minister is willing to engage in federal discussions with their federal counterpart that deliver that program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, we were very pleased when the government came through with his election promises to increase the funding for the Nutrition North programming and also added four communities from the Northwest Territories to the Nutrition North program. The federal government is now undertaking a consultation process with selected communities. I have met with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Ms. Bennett, and I have suggested exactly that, that they should transfer the funding from the program for those communities in the Northwest Territories because it ties in very nicely to all of our initiatives for local-grown, northern foods. I should also add that the Senate of the Northwest Territories is also supportive of that approach. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

I am glad to hear that there are four additional communities going to the subsidy list and then also some capital to increase the program delivery. My second question, Mr. Speaker, is the Premier willing to invite Ms. Bennett so we can have some discussions with the community-based leaders that are fully engaged in the interests of the home-growing program?

I should point out that the Nutrition North Canada program is jointly funded by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and also Health Canada, and I believe that the chair of the Advisory Committee is from the Beaufort-Delta. We have had a number of meetings with Minister Bennett. The three Northern Premiers have jointly written to her to pass on what we think the objectives of the Nutrition North program is. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada is consulting with selected communities and they have indicated that they will be consulting with myself or the Northwest Territories at some point in the near future.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is I look forward the dates placed forward for this potential meeting here and we can relay that message on to the regional interested parties there; I have several in my riding that would be glad to accept the invitation to participate and talk to the federal counterparts on how to redesign in person the program for better delivery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

More so of a comment from the Member. I'll allow the Premier to answer your question.

I should point out that it's very important to engage with the Government of Canada on this issue because while the increased funding and increase in the number of communities was very welcome, it's not clear whether these expenditures are providing effective action in achieving the program's goal of increasing access to perishable nutrition. So I applaud the government for reaching out to the communities, the ones that are most affected by it, to find out how they can make a program more transparent, effective and accountable to Northerners and other Canadians that benefit from this program.

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

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement on summer students I have questions for the Minister of Human Resources. Can the Minister advise this House how many students applied for the summer employment with GNWT in 2016 and how many were hired? Thank you.

Masi. Minister of Human Resources.

We had 628 summer student applications in 2016; out of that 306 students were hired.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise if there's going to be any sort of strategy to increase that number for the coming summer of 2017?

HR has begun a review of the summer student program and a review will also be undertaken with the graduate internship program, and both of these reviews are being done under the Student and Youth Initiative to further enhance existing recruitment initiatives. Our Premier has encouraged all Ministers to try and take on as many summer students as possible. The former Minister of HR has tried to encourage all Ministers to take on as many summer students as possible through their department, and I will commit to this House that I will have a conversation with the Ministers and see how we can improve our summer student hires.

Mr. Speaker, that is the same process we've been following for quite a number of years and, as a result, the number stays around 300. What I was talking about in my Member's statement is trying to find a way to actually increase that number substantially, so just talking about it more is probably not going to do that. So I'm going to ask the Minister if the Minister is prepared to sit down with Cabinet and set some concrete numbers for each department and have the departments hold to those numbers?

Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to just point out that our vacancy rate, we have about 231 vacancies as of June 30th -- 231.85 vacancies at June 30th, and I know the Member has said that we have been talking about this for a while and I think when we gather here next fall then Members can -- well, hopefully, we'll have a better indicator of the summer students that were hired over the summer.

As I said before, our Premier and the former Minister of HR and the current Minister of HR will encourage our departments to see how we can better utilize our summer students, because we do recognize that it's very important for our students that are attending school to get summer employment so they can be ready for school again in the fall. So, I mean, I've made a commitment to this House that I will work with the colleagues to see if we can improve on those numbers.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, I feel like there should be a setting of a target so that we do actually meet the target. The Minister just quoted a number of 230-something vacancies, but we haven't seen a PeopleSoft report. We were talking 900 people at one point, there's 900 vacancies. I'm wondering if the 200 vacancies are just the current number that the department is trying to recruit as opposed to the actual vacancy number of which many of them are contracts, casuals and whatnot. So again I'd like to ask the Minister: on summer students, if Cabinet can set an actual number and hold the departments to that number? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if we could set a concrete number. I mean, what I could commit to, and I've said it before, is we could either meet and beat this year's total, I think which would be an improvement, and so that's the goal we'll strive for. Again, I'll work with my Cabinet colleagues to encourage them -- to encourage their departments to bring on more summer students. So that's the direction we go, and again, as we gather this time next year I think we'll have a good indication if I fulfil that commitment or not.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I made the statement on the mould in houses and elders moving out of their homes, so my questions are to the Minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Elders have moved out about two months ago, so when will the remediation of elders' homes in Fort Providence be complete? Mahsi.

Masi. Minister of NWT Housing Corporation.

Mould remediation actually has to be done by qualified contractors. When we realized that there was some incidents of mould in the seniors' units we did put out a request for proposals. The people that were -- local agencies actually were at capacity and they didn't want to bid on it because they were already -- they didn't have the time to complete the work, so we did have to go south actually to get the specialization to deal with that.

Currently, though, what is happening now is three of the four units are currently ready for occupancy, so I believe the people are in the process of moving in. One senior, ironically, has requested an extension, they don't want to move back to their unit yet, because they're waiting for a bed to arrive that they've ordered, a special bed. So we have allowed them to actually not move back until they've received their bed that they've asked for. Then the last unit actually, the mould test that we did -- because we have to do a test before; after the remediation we do another test to make sure things are fine, the mould test results received indicated that the last unit does need to have further cleaning and testing on it, so that unit has now been cleaned. Again, we retested it on October 26th, and the results should be back within a week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'd like to thank the Minister for her reply. The larger question is: what is the Housing Corporation's policy to address identified health risks in housing stock? These are homes that were built in the '70s. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker. The policy within the Housing Corporation is that we have a limit on housing, so, when houses get too close to 50 years old, then we try not to do too much renovation. We do an assessment to see if it would be cheaper for us actually to build a new unit. When they get to the homes in the '70s, after I did the math on my fingers, actually will be hitting that time zone so that we look at: is it more cost effective to actually renovate, or is it more cost effective to actually demolish them and put up new units?