Caroline Cochrane

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Since 2006, the Housing Corporation has invested approximately $50 million towards home ownership, not renovations, but actually purchasing homes. I too have issues with the co-payment allocations. That is one of the areas that we will be looking at in depth to try to assist people. Today I was having a conversation with one of the MLAs, and he spoke to me and said one of the elders actually had been paying for years and was wondering why he didn't own his house. That really resonated with me and told me that we need to look at alternatives so that people can move into...

Like I had said earlier, again, two of the elders actually have been returned to their units. One of them is waiting for a bed. I'm really hoping that that senior doesn't have to wait till Christmas to get a bed in there. Then the third one, we're just waiting for the final tests. I will do all within my power to make sure that these seniors have a home for Christmas.

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.