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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

Historical Information Kevin A. Menicoche is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2015, as MLA for Nahendeh

Lost his last election, in 2015, with 14% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 854-17(5): Hydraulic Fracturing Baseline Studies June 1st, 2015

Certainly, these are very small communities but it’s important to advertise about subjects of this importance. I’d just like to ask the Minister, as well, what additional engagement measures will the department take over for the extended engagement period as they’re looking at extending it until August? Thank you.

Question 854-17(5): Hydraulic Fracturing Baseline Studies June 1st, 2015

Certainly, I spoke in my Member’s statement about how the Fort Liard public engagement session was deferred and it’s planned for next week. I’d just like to ask the Minister how his department is letting the

communities know about the upcoming engagement sessions.

Question 854-17(5): Hydraulic Fracturing Baseline Studies June 1st, 2015

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up with some questions on when I spoke on horizontal fracturing. I’d like to ask the Minister of ITI, just with regard to studies related to hydraulic fracturing taking place in the Liard Basin, are there any baseline studies being done there, or have been done?

Horizontal Fracturing Filing Regulations June 1st, 2015

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. It is clear that the people of the Northwest Territories have a lot to say when it comes to fracking,

especially horizontal fracturing. That was true at the public engagement session on the proposed regulations in Fort Simpson and it continues to be true today. The people of my riding are eager for education, understanding and consultation. They have questions about safety, health, water security and fracking itself. I also know that the Dehcho First Nations and the Liidlii Kue First Nations have passed resolutions against fracking in their traditional lands. I support both the Dehcho and the Liidlii Kue in their resolutions, which I will table in the House later today.

Many of the monitoring and research programs that the government describes deal with the Sahtu region. I don’t doubt that these programs are important, but potential effects may also be felt outside that region. Fracking is already being done in northern BC and the Liard Basin, and our portion is being studied as well. But what about baseline data and monitoring there?

At the Fort Simpson session, I was concerned about the time given to people to understand and respond to our technical regulations. Today I am pleased that the government has extended the public engagement period by 60 days, to the end of August, but I must be clear, the government must be seen to be doing more to engage the people.

I also have questions about how the regulations deal with baseline studying and monitoring. It seems that industry will be responsible for much of this work. Is self-monitoring in such a competitive industry a wise approach? Will there be some kind of oversight? We must be prepared to enforce our own rules. Because the two sessions in my riding, one in Fort Liard and one in Nahanni Butte, were rescheduled – they’ll happen next week on the 9th and 10th of June – I encourage all of my

constituents to share their views. As the public engagement process continues, I’ll continue to be a full participant as a Member of this Legislative Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Question 844-17(5): Wrigley Public Housing Needs May 31st, 2015

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Even though there was a recent survey, I

really believe that Wrigley has got to be reassessed.

Just in general, I know that we increased our borrowing limit. I’d just like to know, is the Minister going to approach Cabinet and see if we can get additional money from our borrowing limit to help address infrastructure shortages in the community?

Question 844-17(5): Wrigley Public Housing Needs May 31st, 2015

Thank you very much. Just specifically it’s for Wrigley, the needs of better stock of public housing.

I’d just like to ask the Minister going forward, what kind of plans does he have with the department in addressing the concerns out of Wrigley? Thank you.

Question 844-17(5): Wrigley Public Housing Needs May 31st, 2015

I’m glad the Minister, during our last tour which he attended with me in Nahendeh, knows that people were in favour of public housing. What is the Minister doing to beef up the role in Nahendeh communities that will result in more public and even better housing? Thank you.

Question 844-17(5): Wrigley Public Housing Needs May 31st, 2015

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement on the housing issues in the community of Wrigley. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation what kind of follow up is being done from the results of the 2014 Community Housing Survey, which prove what my constituents are saying about the dismal state of housing in the community of Wrigley. Thank you.

Wrigley Public Housing Needs May 31st, 2015

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to point out the dire need for better housing in the community of Wrigley. When I say that housing in Wrigley is inadequate, I am actually agreeing with the NWT Housing Corporation.

A 2014 survey of community housing needs found adequacy problems with 38 percent of the community’s houses. This is worse than any other community in the Northwest Territories. Wrigley is also right down there when it comes to housing and core need; there are problems with adequacy, suitability, or affordability. Almost half of Wrigley’s houses are in core need, 46 percent of them.

I’m sorry to say, by this measure, Wrigley housing is not the worst in our territory but third worst. That is not something to be proud of.

During my recent visit to Wrigley, I heard many complaints about the neglect of housing problems. I heard about homes in disrepair. I heard about problems with mould, residents not being approved for housing assistance, and I heard about construction that was never completed.

When they are so widespread, these problems put stress on the community and everyone who lives

there. Housing is critically important to a person’s overall health and well-being. When housing is very bad, there tends to be an impact on both health and education.

People in Wrigley feel their housing needs are neglected by this government. I believe they are right, and I also believe the trend of neglect includes public housing.

In addition to the problems I just noted, as of last year there were only eight public housing units in Wrigley owned by the NWT Housing Corporation. It pains me even more to look at public housing units across Nahendeh. In last year’s annual report, the Housing Corporation reported only 125 public housing in all of Nahendeh. Compare that to 239 units in the Sahtu communities, 498 in the South Slave and 633 in the North Slave. The population differences do not fully account for that kind of disparity. These numbers also show that the problem has been going on for a long time. It takes years to build up a proper housing stock.

I would like to call on the NWT Housing Corporation to evaluate and come up with a plan to address the housing needs of the residents in Wrigley. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Question 842-17(5): Highway No. 7 Reconstruction And Repairs May 28th, 2015

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We also heard about the great big dip around kilometre 169 or 161, that area. What is the plan to remediate the dip at that point? It’s quite dangerous. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.