Henry Zoe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, leading an active lifestyle, getting outside in the fresh air and participating in sports improves peoples’ lives. For elders, leading an active lifestyle can prevent diseases like diabetes and being active can help you to better manage an illness. For youth, being active improves self-esteem, their coordination and even their performance in school. Benefits of an active lifestyle are…(inaudible)… and one of the answers to a lot of our social problems in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, that’s why I want to say that I’m glad that the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I’d like to say that I believe this Cabinet has done a good job to date in advancing our agenda during their first year of office. However, I’d like to comment on the use of special warrants by this government. I have a problem with the spending of the public purse without any kind of oversight. There are circumstances, Mr. Chairman, where the government will need to commit money in advance of the Legislature sitting, but I do believe that as much as there has to be an FMB/Cabinet meeting to approve a special warrant, there could be an AOC committee...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked a very significant day for the Tlicho people. The national spotlight was on us as Bill C-14, Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act, passed second reading in the House of Commons.

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As Members are aware, it was a great disappointment for our people when this bill died on the order paper before the last federal election, so this latest progress is very welcome.

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week when I spoke to the Tlicho Community Services Act currently before our Assembly, the Tlicho people have been waiting a long time for...

To Minister’s Statement 48-15(3) I’d like to make a few comments, if I may.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the process that is currently in place, but that is not the point I am trying to make to the Minister. I don’t think the Minister is getting my point. This is specifically in regards to people that want to get their homes repaired. The point I am trying to make, Mr. Speaker, is we don’t have a program in place that is multiyear because of our limited number of funding at the community level. It is application-based, as the Minister indicates, but it is based on the assessment that has been undertaken at the individual client’s house. It could be, in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister agree with me that if we go with this route of a multiyear home repair program, that, because of our limited funding at the community level for home repair, a larger number of people would be happy with the corporation with the initiative of at least trying to get help, rather than doing it the way we are doing it now where only a number of people are being helped. Would he not agree that this type of program would benefit the corporation? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for allowing me to conclude my statement. As I was saying, to get the best value for our diminishing housing funding, our job as government will be to provide the supports the local housing authorities need to be successful. Mahsi cho.

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Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, in his statement the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation made on the 30th anniversary of the NWT Housing Corporation he spoke of the significant strides the corporation has made in improving and supplying housing here in the Northwest Territories. I would say we have gone a long way in addressing the housing needs for northerners, but we have a long way to go yet before we can say we have made real progress and have met the housing needs of northerners.

Madam Chair, based on the figures contained in the 2004 housing needs survey and the fact...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am getting mixed messages. On one hand I am asking if we can develop this type of multiyear program particularly for the small communities, because they are very limited in their home repair programs for each community. Just from the last comment of the Minister, he implies that there are provisions currently within the existing program, but my understanding is that there aren't any right now. That is why I am asking the Minister if he can develop this type of multiyear program for clients that want to get the home repairs done. The reason being, Mr. Speaker, is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be to the Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon in my Member’s statement I made a suggestion in regards to housing repairs for small communities. As we all know, Mr. Speaker, each community is limited for dollars to repair houses. I would like to ask the Minister if he would be willing to develop a multiyear program, but subject to our yearly budget approval. Would he be willing to look at that type of program? Thank you.