This is page numbers 3441 - 3480 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 work.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Housing Corporation.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't have the list of -- the waitlist for the numbers for Nunakput. I don't have them in front of me. I will follow up with the Member with those numbers. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Nunakput.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the Minister confirm whether the three retrofits in Paulatuk, two retrofits in Ulukhaktok, and a plan for 2022, have they been completed? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

Page 3450

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do not have the numbers for the Member. I do have a list of our co-investment public housing delivery and also our CIRNAC delivery as well, too, for the Northwest Territories. I will provide those numbers to the Member and also with the repairs for his riding as well, too. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Nunakput.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. Madam Speaker, we have local businesses in the Beaufort Delta that are willing to build units and work together with our government and sort of "build it they'll come", so to say where it's not going to be a burden on our government for upfront costs to be building.

Is the government willing to work with local businesses in the Beaufort Delta to build units in the communities to get units there quicker so we're not having to get two units per year when we have a waiting list of 25 or 30 people, in one of my communities. Are they willing to work with us to get units into the communities this year? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. Absolutely, I am willing to work with the Member as well. We do have the co-investment funding that is available for the Northwest Territories. We do have staff that provide further information on that program delivery. There has also been a number of Indigenous groups throughout the Northwest Territories that has accessed that funding, and the Housing Corporation works with them very closely in trying to support those applications going forward.

And I just wanted to go back to the Member's question that just for the numbers on the public housing waitlist. I do have 15 people on the housing waitlist in Paulatuk, three households with numbers of people in Sachs Harbour, and 17 for Paulatuk. I do not have the numbers for Ulukhaktok. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I'm happy to hear the Minister's willing to commit to working with us in regards to Nunakput because we do have a housing strategy being done for a couple of elders facilities that these companies are willing to build and work together with getting a negotiated lease, I guess, that's what's going to be needed to happen. And if I could get commitment, again, for the record, that she's willing to work with us to get these units completed in my riding of Nunakput and the Beaufort Delta. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm very encouraged to be working with all Indigenous groups throughout the Northwest Territories. And if they're coming up with wanting to pursue partnership or finding additional and unique housing solutions, I am committed to be working with that Member and with those Indigenous groups as well too. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mahsi.

Question 916-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Madam Speaker, can the Minister of Infrastructure provide us an update on the status of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. The Mackenzie Valley Highway Project is currently undergoing an environmental assessment by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board. The next major milestone in the submission of our comprehensive developer's assessment report, we have been working hard to collect information that is needed for this report over the past several years and expect that report to be submitted to the Mackenzie Valley Review Board this fall. This project will then move forward with the environmental assessment review process for the report. Quyananni.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Madam Speaker, I think the Minister has answered some of my questions but I'm going to ask it again.

Madam Speaker, can the Minister provide a timeline for when we can expect the environmental review for the Mackenzie Valley Highway to be complete? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyananni ekati. Once our developer's assessment report is submitted, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board will initiate their assessment process. The timeline in which is governed by the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. However, we anticipate that the environmental assessment process will completed in 2024, which will be followed by a regulatory process to be able to obtain specific licences, permits going through the regional land and water boards. So we anticipate that to be completed in 2025. That's the timelines. Quyanainni.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Madam Speaker, I'm wondering if the Minister can provide clarity on something. According to the Department of Infrastructure's website, 40 of 42 bridges and two access roads have already been built along the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway route, yet construction of the highway has not officially begun. Can the Minister confirm if construction of the highway has begun or not? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. Construction on the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project has not started. The Canyon Creek access road, the 14 kilometre portion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway alignment from Norman Wells to south of Canyon Creek was completed in 2018. However, this work was advanced as a standalone project with appropriate regulatory approvals and community support as initiative to build capacity in the region as well as advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project. We also hope to advance the construction of the Prohibition Creek and Mount Gadet access road as well as the Great Bear River Bridge while the environmental assessment and regulatory process is underway. The bridge projects the Member's referencing were completed as part of the Department of Infrastructure's bridge replacement program for the Mackenzie Valley winter road, but we will continue to support the project as we all know this is a priority of this Assembly. Quyanainni.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Final supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Madam Speaker, can the Minister provide us any specific dates or timelines for when construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway will be starting? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. Once again, the environmental assessment process is completed. When it's completed, the regulatory authorizations received, the GNWT will need to make a final construction decision on the project. Construction of the project will require significant federal financial support to proceed. And I've identified this to my federal counterparts as well. Pending an appropriate level of federal funding to support and advance this project, we expect we could be in a position for commenced construction on 2026. Quyanainni.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.