Caroline Cochrane

As stated previously, we've already called for the -- or we will be calling for the five partners to come together and work on issues that we're facing. So, yes, I will commit to having the department work with the sports and recreation organizations on the development of a wide sectorial policy in full consultation with the organizations.

As the Members may know, taking in the lottery funding into the governance of the Northwest Territories is a new endeavour that we're doing. It is basically to save the taxation that may come out if we leave it within an independent organization. So that will result in hopefully about $1 million in savings that we might have had to pay for taxation.

So like I had said previously, we have promised that the Sport and Rec programming will receive the same amount of funding for this year, and probably more. Given that many of the organizations that we work with actually provide both sport and rec...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hearing from communities including communities organizations and Aboriginal governments through this survey about the solutions to housing as they see in their communities is critical. While housing is complex, be assured that this survey will assist in ensuring that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation plans coincide with the goals and the strengths of each individual community and work towards stable housing for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, this survey will help the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation ensure its policies and...

Yes, a draft NWT Sport Recreation and Physical Activity Policy has been developed that will be used to guide the funding and operational decision-making for the department. This policy is an internal document though and doesn't represent the whole NWT Sectorial Policy which we'll be looking at on a later date.

So the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has made a commitment to work with all of the territorial sports organizations to assist them in filling out the applications for the territorial funding. We do have a standardized application form, and any organization that needs assistance with filling out that form is being told that we are more than happy to work with them, to sit with them, and to help them figure out how to work through the form. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, a meeting was held with Sport North probably, and I may be wrong, was probably about two weeks ago, although my dates might be a little bit foggy, it was just recently though. Sport North did come in because they were concerned about the process with the Sutcliffe Report. They were concerned about where they fit within the bigger pictures, in honestly. So we talked at quite length about the funding arrangements. We agreed at the end of the meeting that the funding would stay within the Government of the Northwest Territories, but that we would work with Sport North...

The NWT Housing Corporation already does take in the different regions. We have three different regions, so there is a difference already between Yellowknife and the areas up in the northern communities. So I'm not sure how we'll address that differently because we already have the regions, and, like I say, once the survey is brought in we will be doing a revamp of the income thresholds to make sure that they are meeting people's needs.

I should point out as well though, even though it's not part of the question, that people that are struggling to meet their housing needs may also want to talk...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently within the Member's region the income threshold maximums are, for a single person, $91,900 a year they're allowed to make. With people up to five people in their house, they're allowed to make $107,000 a year to be able to, so anything under that is eligible for programs. We do have to recognize that we have 44,000 people in the Territories, and so we have to be conscious of that to make sure that we're providing our housing programs for those most in need, so those in low- and middleincome families. A total review of the income thresholds will be conducted...

Members may be aware that I have just taken over the position of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I can't state what has happened historically on these subjects, but I can state that, at this point, we are researching it to see about the viability and, like I said, there will have to be public consultation with all of the communities that this may impact before we make a decision on it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is aware of the request from the City of Yellowknife. We are looking at them. We are researching into them. We do have to do a thorough consultation process before we change any legislation or acts, and so we haven't started that process on these as of the moment.