Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The bylaw officers in the communities are 19 bylaw officers. Mr. Speaker, when the Minister was a Regular Member sitting on our side in 2001, he was concerned about the same issue that I’m raising here today, Mr. Speaker. He encouraged the Department of MACA and Justice to work together to help communities with community enforcement. So I would like to ask the Minister if such initiatives exist today and what is the department doing with community governments to identify the community bylaw enforcement that’s needed in the communities? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize one of the CHO grads, Monique Laing, from Behchoko.

---Applause

Along with her, her children and husband. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a letter here from Tlicho Grand Chief George Mackenzie on support of recognizing the value of elders’ knowledge. It is a motion that was passed. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today is a sad day for the Tlicho Nation. We are mourning the death of two members of the community of Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, it was just two weeks ago when one of our young community members, Richard Apples, went missing after his canoe capsized. Three days ago, his older brother found his body on the Marion River. It’s a sad day, but at the same time the family and communities of Behchoko are appreciative of the efforts of their families and friends and are relieved that they are able to bring their son home to rest.

Mr. Speaker, just yesterday afternoon...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have visitors. I am thankful that they are here. Noel Bishop, Jeffrey Mackenzie beside him, and George Weyallon. They are from Behchoko. I would like to thank them for visiting the House.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

What is the total number of public housing units in Behchoko, and what is the number of each type of unit?

How many of those units are occupied by:

1-2 persons

3-4 persons

5-6 persons

7-8 persons

9 or more persons

What is the maximum number of persons occupying any one of those units?

How many of those units had a monthly rent, as of June 1, 2006, of:

Under $100

$101-$250

$251-$500

$501-$750

$751-$1,000

$1,001-$1,250

$1,251-$1,500

$1,501-$1,750

$1,751-$2,000

$2,001-$2,250

...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the corporation’s been mandated to look into collection of the arrears in Behchoko. At the same time, I am just wondering if the corporation was looking to investigate the discrepancies on the rent scales that have occurred and what they have come up with to address this situation where the client has been charged the wrong amount for rent. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I highlighted earlier in my Member’s statement, the seriousness of an issue we are faced with in Behchoko on the discrepancies on public unit rent scale. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. David Krutko. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of the Housing Corporation advise this Assembly the amount of outstanding rent payments that have been accumulated over the years in Behchoko? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the 1,300 plus units and houses going through the North, the Tlicho community will certainly benefit from some of them. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit today in this Assembly to expedite, to initiate a joint task force with a representative from Behchoko general public, one from Rae Band board member and one from YK district office to investigate and re-evaluate the rental scales and reasons for outstanding rental arrears on the 80 plus public units in Behchoko? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my next question leads to what has the corporation done to remedy the situation that we were faced with in the past and also currently? What is the department doing now to deal with the long-outstanding arrears in the community of Behchoko? Mahsi.