Jackson Lafferty

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, as I indicated in my previous Member’s statement, the Tlicho Community Services Agency is in a unique position. We are a new government since August 4th of last year. So we are different from any organizations here in the North and also throughout Canada. My next question leads on to…Can the Minister please clarify how he can continue to impose four to six-week delays on payments to the elders from the Tlicho Community Services Agency despite the clear wishes of the Tlicho Government that is consistent with the spirit and the letter of the Tlicho Agreement...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am just wondering if the Minister or his department has looked into a contractual basis where they hire an elder on an as-needed basis and they can be paid within the next few days, as opposed to waiting four to six weeks. Can the Minister advise this House if they have looked at the option? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today’s statement will be on elders. We have elders who work in the school sometimes. We have difficulty paying them. (Translation ends)

…consider a leader in maintaining and enhancing aboriginal language, culture and traditions. This wouldn’t be possible without our elders; our Ph.D.’s when it comes to traditional knowledge and on-the-land programs, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, lately with the introduction of FMBS system to the Community Services Agency it has become more difficult to issue elder’s pay for their casual work; pay that they deserve for their...