Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all Members on this side of the House will have a large workload. I have to take into consideration the skill level, the interest in particular areas and how they can work together to ensure we are delivering it and doing it in an efficient way. So that’s going to be taken into the equation. As well, I will look at the seniority of Members, their experience and what they can bring to the table. But every Member on this side of the House will have some heavy lifting to do over the next four years. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, that is another good question that we are going to have to look at as a new Government of the Northwest Territories. The challenge is how do we come up with the right balance? The Member is right in saying that anybody in public housing, a senior has no rent to pay but a senior who is in an old folks’ home, for example, pays rent, pays a significant amount of rent as well as anybody who is in a level of care that requires other supports from the Government of the Northwest Territories. So somebody who is in a long-term care home, for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Member will do well for his seniors and the people in his constituency. Those are normal business activities and we’ll ensure that the proper authorities that are in place are making sure that they meet the safety requirements of individuals in your communities. So we’ll get that message sent down and sent down quick. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we know, we have a long history in the Northwest Territories, returning Members as well, and maybe some of us have short memories.

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The fact is, even from the 13th Legislative Assembly, the whole area of our package of supports we have out there for residents of the Northwest Territories has been looked at. I recall even back in the 13th Assembly as a Regular Member on Social Programs, the topic of better coordination of our programs was critical because we had elders, those in low income housing, going to four or five different doors in a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we get up to speed of where this is at, I’m prepared to sit down with Members on this and update them as to where we are. As for coming to a vote for this House, that is something that I will take under review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let’s be clear; the fact is that we have not shut down housing for seniors. We have not shut down housing for those with low income or are on income support. Those are still available to residents across the Northwest Territories. There has been a change in the programming level and that coordination between the Housing Corporation and ECE. We need to have a review to see, in fact, why we are having problems in communities.

As was said across the floor in statements earlier, the fact is we also hear from our constituents in the Northwest Territories....

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I won’t go into the decisions of the past government, but where we are today, what’s in place was a limited agreement to proceed, and that is a minimal amount of work. There is some commitment that Members were aware of, and the government’s loan guarantee that we have on the books today, and that’s the limit that we are faced with today. We have to get the rest of the details to proceed with the actual work and ordering of steel and so on and so forth. Once we get that information, we get the details, I am prepared to sit down with Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, that is the beauty of our system of government. Only in consensus, when there are issues that come across the table, we will work with the committees in ensuring that we make the best necessary steps proceeding forward of concerns. We have heard those concerns. Is the program in need of revamping? Is it a total review? Is it a matter of adjustments or is it just a matter of ensuring that departments get their clear marching orders and told to get the job done? As I have committed to, I am prepared to work with Members and come up with a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let me tell Members right now, residents of the Northwest Territories, I am not prepared to sign a blank cheque either. I think that’s one of the challenges we’re going to be faced with, as we’ve heard about as Members have got together is one of the issues we have to deal with is the capital infrastructure in that area, the cost of it in the Northwest Territories. Can we meet that need? We’re going to have to ensure the deal that is signed, that we are involved with, is one that can be honoured and can be delivered on what is agreed to. The financing...

Mr. Speaker, we are going to be transparent in the work we do. Of course, much like our own work here in the Assembly, when we have areas of confidentiality, we're going to have to recognize those as well. I commit to inform Members as we progress on any number of projects that are out there; but as we establish where we are and the Ministers receive their assignments, they'll get up to speed in the specific areas and be ready to meet with Members when committees are structured. We will be ready to proceed at that time. Thank you.