Caroline Cochrane

Thank you, Mr. Chair. All the applications or proposals are reviewed on the same criteria, although we are conscious that we do want to support northern businesses and preferably businesses in or close to the communities that are providing the services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation and on behalf of the department, we also are conscious of the need for additional units within our communities. That is part of the reason that we're doing the engagement survey, not to identify the problems that we have; we know we have problems. We're looking to identify solutions within that survey so that we can actually assist residents of the Northwest Territories to be more independent or semiindependent so that we can invest more into public housing. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker. The policy within the Housing Corporation is that we have a limit on housing, so, when houses get too close to 50 years old, then we try not to do too much renovation. We do an assessment to see if it would be cheaper for us actually to build a new unit. When they get to the homes in the '70s, after I did the math on my fingers, actually will be hitting that time zone so that we look at: is it more cost effective to actually renovate, or is it more cost effective to actually demolish them and put up new units?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We work very closely. We participate in a working group with the RCMP to determine what their needs are. They are very specific in what they are looking for in units, so it is imperative that we work closely with them to make sure that we meet their needs. That you can, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.

I do, thank you.

I'm going to take the opportunity to actually address two issues that were brought up by the Member. The first one was that there is no coordination within the departments to deal with seniors specifically; that is not true. My understanding was there is an interdepartmental group. There is no interdepartmental group; however, we do have a Minister responsible for seniors who works with all of the departments to compile the information supports and to lobby and advocate with us to provide supports to seniors.

The second thing I will address is the question. It was talking about the 55+. Like I...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can confirm that, at this point, we are in the process of negotiating seven parcels of land for these units. Once the negotiations are complete, I will update the Member. At any time the Member wants to know the status, he is more than welcome to send an e-mail as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, I'll talk to them. I will not commit to doing five in the communities. I try to honour my word and I try to be reasonable and be able to achieve what I commit to, and so I will commit to doing one pilot project of a four-plex and after that do an assessment.

Yes, I think that we don't do a good job in actually promoting the benefits of sports and recreation. I think we do but we could do better, and so we will work on developing that as well. Again, it is something that we should be bringing to the five organizations because I also think that they have a role in the promotion of sports and recreation throughout the Northwest Territories. So again, like I said, I will commit to bringing that issue to the table when we meet with them all and see if it becomes solely a department issue or if it's something that all of the organizations should take...

Mr. Martin will address that.