This is page numbers 3681 – 3720 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. The next activity, finance and infrastructure services, begins on page 381, $12.5 million activity. Comments or questions. Ms. Green.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, during the business plan review, we talked about the possibility of making the NWT Housing Corporation's website better populated with current information and easier to use. Is there money in this budget for that activity? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Green. Mr. Martin.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Martin

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As part of the NWT Housing Corporation's strategic renewal initiatives, there will be additional investment into modernizing our website. This expenditure will be accommodated within the contract services budget of the executive activity. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Martin. Nothing further from Ms. Green. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I wonder if the Minister could advise me if all communities in the NWT are eligible for the co-op 2 per cent write-down and a non-profit 2 per cent write-down? Sorry, Mr. Chairman, I apologize. I'm on page 383. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Martin.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Martin

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm just looking at the amounts here. The policy in this area has not changed since the Housing Corporation has taken over this responsibility for supporting the groups under this former CMHC program. The two groups being supported under that non-profit 2 per cent write-down program category is the Salvation Army and Hay River Community Help Board. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I wonder if the Minister could advise the House if the homelessness assistance fund is fully utilized? Same page, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The homelessness assistance program is currently fully utilized. We are, however, looking at changes to that program as well because currently it's a one-time access to it and it's a maximum of $1,500. The whole goal of that program actually is to address homelessness, and sometimes people get into trouble more than one time. Now we're looking at, instead of one time, we're looking at trying a maximum amount of $1,500. For example, previously if people needed a ticket to their community and they were coming from Yellowknife and wanted to go to Hay River, that's not $1,500 for that airline. We're changing the program so that the $1,500 can be utilized for one person instead of a one-time up to the amount. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I was, I guess, just looking at the line and thinking that it was a bit underfunded. That was not so much specific to how much each pot can max out at, so that was my question. It appears as though it is fully utilized, but the corporation hasn't added to the budget in a couple of years, a couple of fiscal years. I guess it's just more of a question and I got the answer. It is fully utilized and I guess the corporation will do what they can with that. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Would the Minister have a response? Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, if that does go over, we will accommodate within. It's important to note that homelessness is one of the major concerns of mine and the corporation. It's the reason I ran for politics.

We're currently doing a homelessness review to look all the programs that we offer to ensure that we're providing the proper supports and at that point, if we need to increase on certain areas, we will be looking at doing that. Everything is under the microscope, and homelessness supports is one of my critical and most important aspects within this policy review. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Anything further? Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I noticed that, under the transitional rent supp, there was a certain amount used at one point and then the budget was brought to a certain level. Has the Minister been able to get all of this money out the door? Is this budget fully utilized in the Territorial Rent Supplement Program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Martin.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Martin

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The transitional support of housing investment for 2016-2017 was supported under-budget 2016. This is a $600,000 investment supporting the Centre for Northern Family Organization. The $375,000 for 2017-2018 has been set aside to support similar type investments. If this is not fully expended in the current year, it will be carried over for further investment in this area next year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Martin. Anything further from committee? Seeing nothing further, NWT Housing Corporation, finance and infrastructure services, operations expenditure summary, $12,450,000. Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Moving on to the final activity, programs and district operations, beginning on page 384, a $31 million activity. Comments or questions from committee? Ms. Green.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, during the business planning process, we had some extensive discussion about the CARE programs. What I'm looking for now is an indication of where the CARE program -- oh, I see. It has gone down by $2 million. What I'm looking for is an indication of why this reduction has been made. Thank you.