Bob Bromley

Thank you, Madam Chair. I find this department intriguing and interesting, working in an area that has definite challenges but real clear opportunities. One of the opportunities and good work that’s being done is the adoption of the building standards; it’s 25 percent better than the Model National Energy Building Code, if I’ve got that term right. I appreciate that. The opportunity I see is to spread that to our communities, ideally starting with our Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. I’m wondering what opportunities this department has taken in working to get their sister...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to follow up on the Stanton facility, the work going on at Stanton. Some of these things could have gone into general comments but, obviously, we have not done a good job in the past and we’ve let slip many opportunities.

I’m very glad to see we’re finally starting to get in gear and get a program going to catch up with this territorial facility where the needs are, I’m sure – according to the employee, I’m sure we could hear them say desperate – there are many patients across the NWT who would echo that, so I’m very glad to see this happening.

I’m wondering, I...

Thank you for that response. My understanding is that, indeed, we have not had that opportunity the last few years and, thus, it is not surprising that there have not been updates, but I’d love to stand to be corrected on that.

My third question is: Looking at the composition of the steering committee working on this review, I don’t see any representation from user groups. I think that’s something we always want to include when we have a steering committee. Why is there not representation from user groups, a student association or something like that on this steering committee for the Student...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one quick question here. I see the Kaw Tay Whee School in Detah is up for some much needed work, renovation. There has been a concern about mould in that community. I’m wondering if that problem has been taken care of or is this the work that’s meant to take care of that problem.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment following up on his Minister’s statement this morning on Student Financial Assistance review. I just want to start by confirming that this review will indeed include some additional support for upgrading as per the Minister’s commitment in earlier discussions in the House.

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...