Caroline Cochrane

The whole purpose of the housing survey is to actually define what the residents of the Northwest Territories want to define within that compilation of results; individual community plans. So it would be disrespectful of myself as a Minister to go forward and try to receive the results from each separate community, working with them to find out their issues and their solutions and then not continue to work with them.

So the short answer is, yes, I am committed to working with each individual community to define what their issues are, what their solutions are and how best to implement their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently within two communities, Aklavik and Fort McPherson, we have seven suplus units in Aklavik and we have two surplus units in Fort McPherson. Of those, the two in Aklavik and two in Fort McPherson will be tendered for sale and five units will be up to be demolished.

The regional staff would be able to go in and meet with the community if that is the wish of the MLA. I was just extending that further because I also recognize that we haven't toured that community yet, so it was just another extension of an offer. If the MLA is satisfied with the regional worker or department going in, then we will make that happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Shoreline erosion is an issue that we face throughout the Northwest Territories, not only in Fort Good Hope but in many communities. It is not within my jurisdiction to actually say that I can give tax reliefs. We do assessment of properties, but we don't actually provide the tax bills; but we are willing to work with the community to look at doing another hazard analysis and to update their emergency plan. We are planning on updating most community emergency plans in this fiscal year. We can help them apply for funding if they would like to do a study such as what is...

Currently, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs provides about $3 million annually to support youth leadership programs and youth at risk programs. We are also working interdepartmentally with education, health and social services, and working intensively with our Minister responsible for Youth to keep him updated, and also to develop a comprehensive plan. We are looking at updating our Youth Leadership Strategy in partnership interdepartmentally, but also with the stakeholders that are involved within the communities. We will be putting a serious effort into updating that plan...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am also anxious to get these positions filled. We are waiting for them to come back from the Department of Human Resources for classification. I can make a commitment that as soon as we do receive them back, that we will put a full effort into doing the recruitment and getting these ads out, and trying to fill the positions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

At the beginning of the 18th Legislative Assembly, our Premier made a commitment that he would try to get the Ministers into every community within the Northwest Territories. I am trying to fulfil my part in meeting that commitment by our Premier. I know that we haven't done a tour of the Sahtu at this point, so, yes, when we finalize the dates of the Sahtu tour, I would be more than willing to have a public meeting on the shoreline erosion and any other concerns that the communities may have.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to start by recognizing one of my constituents from the Range Lake riding, Ms. Erin Currie is in the House. There were two other ones. I don’t see them here. I'm not sure, Tracey Mueller and Tram Do, if they are here, I'd like to recognize them as well. I also want to recognize two of our Mayors, Mr. Brad Mapes from Hay River; welcome to the Legislative Assembly, and Mayor Lynn Buckley not only is the Mayor of Fort Smith, but Ms. Buckley also attended the campaign school that we just had in Hay River on Women in Politics, and I'm really proud to say that within...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It actually saddens me to hear the Member talk about considering our youth as the poor cousin neighbor on the block. I do not take that personal opinion. I believe that every single program that we provide is critical to the residents of the Northwest Territories, and especially providing services to youth.

The question asking if I would consider taking it out of the department, that is not one that I am prepared to answer at this point because it will take consultation with the departments, and consultation with stakeholders as well because in recognizing that community...

It is actually impossible for me to set a deadline and say, by this date that these positions will be filled. I have made a commitment that we will put a serious effort into it as soon as we get the classification back. Filling a position isn't as easy as putting it out there, and getting it in. There's a process. There are applications. There's internal hiring practices. There's an appeal process to come through. I will stand by my commitment that, as soon as we get back from the classification, we will put all of our efforts into doing what we can to ensure that these positions are filled in...