Bob Bromley

I had asked specifically what systematic protocols are in place to capture the impacts of climate change on our infrastructure so that we can build our knowledge on that. I understand that we do have research dollars that we haven’t spent for many years that we keep forwarding on to future years, and I’m looking forward to some research eventually being done. I appreciate that information, but right now I’m asking what systematic protocols do we have? We have a lot of workers out there. We have a lot of assessments of our infrastructure, I am sure, that we need to do in order to do maintenance...

I do point out that this government spends tens of millions of dollars on areas that we have no mandate in. In terms of exploiting resources, I’m hoping we would do the same for protecting our citizens.

So my final question to the Minister is: How is it that fracking can happen in the NWT without going through the environmental assessment process? I think that’s a valid question for a government to be asking on behalf of its citizens. Thank you.

This Legislature needs to be informed, but our citizens also need to be prepared to participate effectively in any reviews and assessments. We need that information early on so citizens can digest and debate to be ready for public reviews. Will the Minister commit to getting information materials out to our public, perhaps in partnership with non-government organizations, presenting the variety of views that exist out there so that good debate and wise decisions can be made? Thank you.

Again, I appreciate the Minister’s response and commitment to looking into that and getting me that information.

My next question is the Nunavut Housing Corporation has some interesting features, one of which I mentioned: a sliding scale for maximum rent from 10 to 28 percent. Another feature is that rent is re-evaluated annually on September 1st, to account for changes in income. Income is based on the previous tax year. Many beneficial factors worth consideration must go along with that, and I’d be intrigued on what those might be. Will the Minister look at what the options are and/or...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That’s really it. I’ll be happy to leave it there. Again, there is a strong government-wide aspect to this. This department is responsible for the results of a policy or lack of it and it’s an opportunity that I am highlighting at this time. I appreciate that opportunity and I’ll leave it at that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation. I’d like to follow up on my statement earlier today. My colleagues and I have spoken in the past about including more creative mechanisms in our collection of rents in communities. With few jobs, the lack of wage opportunities could be offset by allowing tenants to reduce their rent by, for example, supplying wood for the community or public housing, or giving their labour in maintaining and repairing houses. I’m wondering if the Minister can say if such options are being examined in the Shelter Policy...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to follow up and thank Mr. Hawkins for his support. I, of course, did not mention anything about selling art; I talked about display and exhibition of art. Nor did I mention anything about free space. I, in fact, mentioned that Heritage Canada is interested in partnering and paying for this infrastructure. I just wanted to express my appreciation for his support there on my main points.

I think there’s been a good discussion on this need for a good policy. One of the priorities for this government is diversification of our economy and I think it’s well...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on the Housing Minister’s statement on the Shelter Policy review and public housing rental assessment rates.

On November 3rd last year, this Assembly called on the government to reduce the maximum rate for assessment of public housing rents from 30 to 25 percent of gross income. Yukon charges 25 percent of gross income and Nunavut has a sliding scale between 10 and 28 percent. As an example, public housing for a four-person household living on two minimum wage incomes in Detah pay $1,200 per month at 30 percent, or about 40 percent of net income...

Thank you for that information. Can I just confirm that there has been no request for any maintenance or upgrades to the Sissons School in Yellowknife? Thank you.

Thank you. Just on that then, I did have another question that I would appreciate a response on. But on this one, which department should I be talking to on this one? Thank you.