Bob Bromley

I appreciate that response. How long will the extension be for? I am concerned that we’ve known about this situation for a long time and obviously have not planned for it, or we’ve had higher priorities. So what are we doing to make sure that we do plan for it at the end of whatever period of extension we are proposing to pursue on the lease? 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.

Just to complete that for me, will that be completed this fiscal year before the schematic design and the next steps are begun? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. There are a few points I’d like to bring out here. First of all, the deferred maintenance is an important issue. We know that we have quite a backlog. We have made some progress and I appreciate that, and there’s still much more to go and the department is continuing to work on that. That’s good work.

I want to highlight the schools in Yellowknife. Particularly Sissons is one that keeps getting docked and put on the backburner, yet there’s obviously a very high need in that area. I’d appreciate knowing what the plan is for when that will finally be addressed. That’s been...