Caroline Cochrane

Yes, the new energy plan will be… We will try to consult as much as possible within the definition, so although right now at this point the study showed that within this region that we have capacity, that we’re fine within the hydro system, the renewable energy system that we have currently, we still are focusing within our thermal communities. We need to get them off diesel. This is really not sustainable energy and it’s not good for our environment. This is not only a concern for the Northwest Territories, this is national wide and international wide, so we’ve committed to working nationally...

I would like to start by reinforcing that hydro is actually a renewable energy and one of the most cost effective as well, and we have a good supply as related in the Member’s opening speech. It’s sufficient for 90 per cent of our needs at this time. Unless there’s a major mine would we actually have to look at expanding upon that. Within the cost analysis it was shown that the current system as we have now is cost effective versus bringing in something such as a solar system which would cost millions of dollars, and that cost would actually have to be transferred to the ratepayers. We’re on...

As stated in the previous question, the Housing Corporation is using its definition of needs based on the needs assessment that was done. We’ve also met with members of the IRC individually, representatives, to see what they define as the needs. The final process that we’ll be doing is actually calling a meeting with the IRC, which will be happening within the next couple of weeks, to show the results of what we’ve compiled and actually to hear what they have to say. They will take the lead on defining where we go with that. I have committed, as the Minister, that I will actually attend that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, the contractor was unable to complete the gravel pad last year. I’m happy to advise the Members, though, that all of the materials to complete the installation of the duplex are in the community at this point. We’re anticipating that the duplex will be fully operational prior to August and allocated shortly after. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The NWT is actually the second in Canada in regards to renewable resources and I really want to keep that title. In fact, I would like to be number one if we could get there. Arctic Energy Alliance is really key in distributing the renewable energy resources to communities, so we are committed to maintaining an Arctic Energy Alliance within our programs and projects to work with renewable energy within the NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Climate change was taken into consideration, but the focus was really on the previous 30 years and that is why one of the recommendation is to consider an upgrade and to keep monitoring our hydro production so that we can keep better statistics on the water levels and where we’re going in the future with climate change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would really love to be able to say that there would be a goal within a short period that says that people would not stay in emergency shelters for five years. However, like we had stated, we are working in partnership with the City of Yellowknife. Within three years, they plan to have 20 people housed, within the shelter format, we're looking to have 30 people, that's only 50 people. Even after those people are housed, we will still have a huge population of people that are homeless, so I think that the goal of five days within a shelter is still a ways off...

That's actually a very difficult question because I recognize that the term of the government is only four years, which doesn't give us a lot of time and really hard to evaluate during that period of time. I am hoping that the next Legislative Assembly will carry forward the work and to move forward within the Housing First model and to get people more independently housed. There will always be a need for emergency shelters though, and that's just the reality of shelters throughout the world, and especially within the Northwest Territories because this community of Yellowknife is a very...

We do have a program currently, called the PATH program that is providing assistance to territorial homeownership programs, that people can actually purchase homes within the communities. There’s different rates depending on the community. We do an assessment of the building, based on the community and then the… I mean, sometimes actually the units are actually given just for the land costs. We’re revisiting that as well because we do recognize that very soon the operating and maintenance money, CMHC funding, will be expiring. We need to come up with a plan. We’re kind of looking at ideas...

At this point, the strategic plan is actually expired, so we’re looking to do the new plan and then of course the surveys will be utilized to develop our new plan.