Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to hear that MACA, Municipal and Community Affairs, is reviewing the issue of safety and security in the communities and possibly securing some additional funds for the communities that’s adequately needed in the communities. Mr. Speaker, when you look at the whole issue, Behchoko does not have a bylaw officer in the community or even in the three outlying communities of the Tlicho region. In fact, there are bylaw officers in Tsiigehtchic and Tulita, just as an example. So the question to the Minister is, has the Minister looked into sitting down with...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this spring Andrea Tsetta participated in the Youth Parliament and did a very good job representing Monfwi, I must say. Her statement was on a community break in Behchoko and her plea for bylaw officers to be established in the community. So, Mr. Speaker, I have some questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs regarding the need for bylaw officers in my communities.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of communities have complained that they are not being given enough funding to take care of everything that they are responsible for. How is the Minister of...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement today will be regarding the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. It’s been over 30 years, we’ve been having a lot of graduates over the years. (Translation ends)

…within our Tlicho region has been recognized and chosen as one of the best aboriginal schools from across central, northern, and Atlantic Canada, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School in Behchoko has been selected by the GNWT and the non-profit Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education to be part of the research study that...

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. (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. 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.

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, it has become apparent that approximately 80 tenants of Behchoko public housing units are at virtual eviction but this government does not investigate or remedy the situation.

It is hard to believe that some pensioners -- yes, Mr. Speaker, I am talking about our elders -- owe the Housing Corporation $30,000 plus because of discrepancies in the calculation of their rent, going back to 10 or 15 years in some cases, Mr. Speaker. This is outrageous. The Housing Corporation should have stepped in when they first noticed these tenants were falling behind on their...

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.