This is page numbers 2439 - 2492 of the Hansard for the 19th 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

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll have Vice-President Martin respond. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Martin.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Martin

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. As mentioned, we do have our cost-share dollars set aside for the Arnica Inn project. That project is still under review with the federal government, under their co-investment fund program. We do continue to meet regularly with the federal government to review the status of all of these applications, and we hope to hear very soon that this project will be proceeding. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm also very hopeful that it will proceed. When I look at the infrastructure services, I just wish we were spending more on capital, and I don't know how to phrase that any more. Another one of these problems is that, in Yellowknife, the YWCA used to have Rockhill Apartments, and that burnt down. They still since get funded from the Housing Corporation, but they, once again, then go out and rent from southern landlords, as opposed to when they used to have a building. They could actually offer much better wraparound services, for cheaper, to more people. Since we lost the Rockhill Apartments, has the Housing Corporation done anything to secure that program another building? Because it's kind of with a few different landlords right now, all over the place, despite us continuing to fund that money to the YWCA. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will have President Williams respond. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Williams.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Williams

Thank you, Madam Chair. Certainly, losing Rockhill Apartments was a big loss to the community. It served the vulnerable population that it did and families. Right now, we are working with the YWCA on a co-investment application, so they are looking at proceeding in that manner to acquire new units. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll follow up with the Minister to get some details on that. I'm very happy to hear that. I believe, right now, the Department of health is renting the Aspen Apartments, which is a federal building, but there has been some talk about that perhaps becoming social housing. Can I just get an update on that? I'm not sure if that's a health question or a Housing Corporation question, but if there is any future for the Aspen Apartments in Yellowknife?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Housing Corporation has acquired the asset, but we do not provide the programming. I will have VicePresident Martin respond. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Mr. Martin.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Martin

Thank you, Madam Chair. Early on, when the pandemic started, we worked very closely with the federal government to enter into a lease arrangement for that building, and we continue to have a very good working relationship with the federal government in this regard. They are now working with Treasury Board Canada to secure a further extension of those lease arrangements for the GNWT and the Housing Corporation, and we are working towards a next extension until September 30th. Beyond that, we have not had any further conversations beyond that point. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. When you look in Yellowknife at all the rental units, there was a lot of work by the Women's Society to get hold of the Arnica. The YWCA is trying really hard to get hold of a building. It's just hard to get hold of a building. Part of the ultimate solution here is to build more buildings, obviously, and more housing, but can we have a conversation, or is it feasible to not just extend the lease to September for the Aspen but actually approach the Treasury Board about taking that building into Housing Corporation or GNWT ownership? Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll have Vice-President Martin respond. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2458

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Martin.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Martin

Thank you, Madam Chair. In the discussions we had been having the federal government regarding the Aspen Apartments, they have indicated to us that they are in close discussions with the Department of National Defence, and the DND employees may also have a requirement for that facility. That is currently being reviewed by the federal government, and they would have to assess their needs first, I understand, in accordance with their procurement policies before considering a transfer to Indigenous governments or the GNWT. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. Maybe we can convince the DND to build a new building, and then we can get a hold of that one. I am sad to hear that. I'm looking at page 380 and the emergency shelters, the $2.6 million. When I look at the Health and Social Services and Housing Corporation budgets, my understanding is that, over the years, Health and Social Services has gotten much more into the shelter operations. The general line is that the Housing Corporation funds night shelters, and Health and Social Services funds day shelters. I think, at this point, the health budget has actually exceeded the Housing Corporation for shelter money. Can I just have a bit of an explanation of whether that line is still the case? Who should I talk to about shelter funding, the Housing Corporation or Health and Social Services? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.