David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have heard a lot in regard to residential schools and the high number of children that were mentally and physically abused in residential schools.

The Auditor General of Canada reported on the high number of children on reserves that are in foster care and in permanent custody of the provincial government. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is no different. In 2002 in my constituency, there were 58 children in care in the three communities I represent. Compared to other jurisdictions in Canada and other groups in Canada, aboriginal people have the highest number...

Mr. Jacobson.

We’ve decided we’re going to move to the Main Estimates of the NWT Housing Corporation. So at this time I’d like to ask the Minister responsible to provide opening comments in regard to his department’s estimates.

Thank you. Next on my list I have Mr. Abernethy, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. McLeod and Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Abernethy.

With that, we’ll take a short break and come back and continue on with the Housing Corporation.

The Committee of the Whole took a short recess.

The president of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Polakoff.

I’d like to call the Committee of the Whole to order.

In consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters is Bill 8, Committee Report 2-16(2), Committee Report 3-16(2), Committee Report 4-16(2), Committee Report 5-16(2), Committee Report 6-16(2), Committee Report 7-16(2), Tabled Document 37-16(2). What is the wish of the committee? Ms. Groenewegen.

Minister Miltenberger.

Mr. Speaker, also in regard to the Premier’s comments or statement he made in reference to the new west, I know that there’s an initiative going on where all the western Premiers are talking about going down to the States to lobby in different areas. I’m wondering: are we part of that delegation which would be going down to the United States to lobby in regard to the western Premiers?

Another issue we have is that with a lot of these individuals the government pays for them to travel home from the larger centres. They’ll pay someone who is homeless in Yellowknife to get back to their home community. Under your existing policy you have to be a resident for three months, but the government is the one that moves these people back to their home community in which they were homeless to begin with. So once they get back to the community, there’s no way that these individuals can be provided housing because of the residency clause.

Have you looked at the residency clause for...