Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not want to compare anything; however, I did not see, in the capital estimates, anything that I understand the government would like to have, a standard system of housing -- acceptability standards. Because the housing shortage is so great in our communities, we were even asking if the government could make emergency type, or short-term military type tents for winter. The people do not necessarily stay in their houses in the winter in the Eastern Arctic; they camp out several miles away from town and commute to work. There is nothing in the capital estimates for any type of emergency shelter to offset the shortage of housing.
James Arvaluk
Historical Information James Arvaluk is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Last in the Legislative Assembly February 1995, as MLA for Aivilik
Won his last election, in 1991, with 35% of the vote.
Statements in the House
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 2nd, 1992
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to apologize for missing most of the day. I had an appointment with the ophthalmologist, and I thought he was only going to take a few minutes, but it took two or three hours.
Mr. Chairman, I realize that the estimates were prepared by the previous government before the last election, under the then Minister, Mr. Tom Butters. I also realize that cabinet Minister's have influenced each other in the preparation of the capital estimates. I am not blaming that previous government, but I would like to ask the Minister: Are you intending to make some corrections as to what the previous government has done wrong in the allocation of capital projects of housing?
If you look at page 03-19, for the Keewatin -- I am not criticizing the allocation for Baker Lake because they are in need, too. Just for comparison, the population is not twice as much as Coral Harbour but they are getting 12 units, and we are getting two units. When Mr. Tom Butters was in Coral Harbour we asked him if the government could provide emergency shelters because of the shortage of housing in Coral Harbour. We wanted insulated tents -- they would probably be about $1000 each -- rather than an $80,000 house. The problem that we have in Coral Harbour is that we have Northern Quebec dissidents arriving yearly, and that creates an incredible amount of shortage there. I would ask the Minister if he could try to be a bit more fair in the allocation of projects on a needs basis, as the motion stated. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 2nd, 1992
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There were very good questions asked by the Members to the Minister respecting the comparable costs to the previous plan or idea to renovate the old one, which apparently holds more beds, and how much it would have cost to renovate it. Would it have been more than $800,000, or less? These question shave not been answered by the Minister.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 2nd, 1992
Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. If I have to be ruled out, I would like to be ruled out of the chair. Thank you. I would like to move that we defer the motion that is on the floor right now until we get information on the previous plan's costs for renovations to the old hostel from the Minister. Thank you.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 2nd, 1992
I am making a motion, Mr. Chairman.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 2nd, 1992
I would like to move that...
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 1st, 1992
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do not get me wrong. I am not against having the government build a hostel in Fort Simpson. I understand that some students cannot adapt very well to a new home, and the hostel sometimes is better suited, especially for counselling and adaptation. But I am having a real problem with it. The government must have a design, then, to be able to come up with this figure of $800,000 to have a hostel. Are they talking about the hostel, Mr. Chairman, or are they talking about a 12-unit apartment? Instead of talking about a 12-bed can he talk about how many bedrooms are being designed here?
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 1st, 1992
That is our average family in the Eastern Arctic, 12 people, 12 beds in one five-bedroom house for $80,000. Why a 12-bed hostel? It would be nine times more expensive. Is there something wrong with the design? Can it not be constructed a little cheaper?
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 1st, 1992
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My general comments, as you heard already, I will just mention the overcrowding situation in Coral Harbour. The Minister has been looking into this, and I was informed by his staff that they are looking into this, and they have some information on it now. I have not received any kind of material regarding it. Can the Minister tell me what he has found about the situation in Coral Harbour?
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters March 1st, 1992
I need some guidance here. In my general comments here can I ask a question of the Minister responsible now?