Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

So the Sutcliffe Report was actually received in January 2016 and it was shared with the affected organizations for their comment on April 2016, so not that long ago. Between April and July, the department took a comprehensive review and analysis of the report. On August 19th, the former Minister of MACA announced that the department's modified approach to western Canada's lottery funding and the creation of a new NWT Sports Recreation and Physical Activity Funding Policy which will be used to guide our funding allocations and our operational components.

The department is also moving forward...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

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.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 35)

So moving forth with it and actually getting more consultation, we've actually already met with Sport North organization. We've talked to them about how we see their role. They've decided where they see their role as well. They'll be providing a business case to us within the next month or so.

As well as that, we've also committed to meeting all of the five sports organizations to come together, and so we can actually talk more broadly on what are the results in the Sutcliffe Report, where they see a policy going, some of the limitations and the assets of the current policy that we use for the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, there is no minimum number of people to access the funding. Thank you, Mr. Chair.