Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I just noticed some of these units in the smaller communities, just a general question about the concept of, in order to reduce costs, duplexes or

four-plex type of schematic. Is there anything new in the works with regard to that in placing those in the smaller communities, Mr. Chair? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased that they’ll look at it here right away. Like I said in my Member’s statement, a particular case is an elder needs his water tank replaced and in that case he cannot come up with the $1,200, but it’s a need for that elder and his family. Water and cleanliness is one of our basic needs. So, I appreciate the Minister looking at that immediately and if he can, once again, to look at it and review certain situations. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Yes, just with the co-

pay component, I’m just wondering what

kind of timing does the Minister expect in looking at and reviewing that particula

r guideline that’s in our

programming currently. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I know that when I first began in the Assembly with the 15th Assembly, we did have a specific seniors or elders housing program which spoke to giving relief for those kind of things. I’m wondering if the Minister is willing to look at it in that perspective in identifying specific seniors or elders repair programs. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask some questions of the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Earlier today I spoke in my Member’s statement about the repair and renovation programs that are available to all residents of the NWT, but most particularly my concern is about our seniors, those on pensions, and our disabled. There’s the co- pay component on the majority of our programming, and in my experience I’ve seen that in the small and r

emote communities people don’t have access to

$500 that they’re required to co-pay on. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible, has his department looked at this? Have these concerns been raised to his department with respect to reducing or, if not, eliminating and taking care of our seniors and those who are disabled with this housing program? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I wanted to talk about the repair and renovation programs offered by the NWT Housing Corporation. Over the past few years, I’ve had elders, seniors on pension and those with disabilities contacting me that part of the programming that the Housing Corporation offers comes with a co-pay portion and the minimum co-

pay portion is about $500. It’s very,

very difficult for those on pension and low income to even come up with that type of co-pay portion.

As an example, in Wrigley there was an elder who needs their water tank replaced. Typically in Yellowknife it would be about $1,500, but with the labour involved it adds up to about $5,000 in Wrigley alone and the co-pay portion is about $1,200. They’re living in a remote community with a high cost of living and they cannot make this co-pay portion. It is actually a burden on them and, as well, anybody with disabilities.

Just perusing the NWT Housing Corporation website, they say co-pay may be required, depending on household income, but the program that’s being offered is co-pay is necessary. So that’s a far cry from the guidelines that are listed on our website.

At the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation about how do we best serve our seniors and our elders and those with disabilities in accessing our NWT Housing Corporation home and repair program. Mahsi cho.

Certainly, even thou

gh we’re

living in the North and we have small and remote communities, I always see in the news schools being locked down or severe incidents happening, so I am pleased we are moving forward with this. Perhaps the Minister could say how he’s handling the smaller communities. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. With the Charles Tetcho School addition, I am pleased we are addressing the concerns of the larger student population in Trout Lake. I know that the community agreed to the school addition with reservations because that is their community hall and they are losing it. It needs to be said, Mr. Chair, that I am pleased that we are addressing the student population and the growth of the community of Trout Lake; however, we are losing the community hall. Maybe with the Minister’s support, he can raise with his Cabinet colleagues that moving forward in future capital plans we are going to have to be looking at a community hall to meet the needs of Trout Lake because they do use this facility six days a week and the whole community is involved. In small communities people gather around and this is one of the focal facilities that brings the community together.

The question I have is capital upgrades to support lockdown procedures for safe schools. I would just like to know what the plans are there for improving our lockdown procedures. Thanks.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That would be nice to get that kind of documentation as soon as we can. Can the Minister commit to that? Thank you.