Yellowknife Centre

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you. The next question concerns the RFP that was let during the winter and received no takers. I understand there have been some negotiations to get to this point, so could the Minister tell us what changes have been made to the RFP in order to secure the agreement announced today? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Do you understand from this, then, that the John Howard Society is not providing the counselling itself but rather subcontracting the counselling, and, if subcontracting, then to whom? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Oh, I thought this was a time for general comments. Okay. Very good, then. My first question is: what are the qualifications of the "qualified counsellors" who are providing this program? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, June 2, 2017, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on June 2, 2017, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, September 19, 2017; and further, that at any time prior to September 19, 2017, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Of course, when one applies to university, nobody is interested in how many hours you spend in a classroom. What they're interested in is what your marks are and I continue to believe that in order for NWT students to be competitive in departmental exams and have the best chance to compete with Alberta students for post-secondary education that they need the mandatory minimum instructional hours in high school to be set at 1,000.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Given that answer, then, is the Minister willing to provide a rent supplement for additional units, since those units need not be owned; they could be rented, to increase the availability of housing?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Mr. Chair, I would like to propose a motion to amend clause 4(b), and I believe that the text will be distributed at this time. The amended subsection will read that paragraph 4(b) of Bill 16 be amended by striking out 945 hours and substituting 1,000 hours.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the NWT Housing Corporation. In the past, the Minister has stressed the belief that home ownership is the way for people to get housed without relying on public housing and to free up units for those who need them. Yet, with only 20 Yellowknife families taking up the offer of assisted home ownership in the last 10 years, this faith seems to be a little misplaced. Will the Minister now re-examine the home ownership program and find out how to increase the uptake? Mahsi.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My follow-up question is whether the Minister will be able to share that evaluation criteria, and at what point the program will be evaluated using it? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Lydia Bardak, who is an advocate for people who live in need, and who is my constituent, and Nalini Naidoo, the economic development director for the city, who is sitting there, as well. She is also my constituent. Thank you.