Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to welcome Ms. Kathy Tsetso to the gallery and welcome a constituent of mine.

I’m well aware of our policy and guidelines when it comes to arrears and what it means is that the government is saying no to replace these water tanks. But it is getting to the critical stage, Mr. Speaker. It is getting to a crisis situation. In fact, it can be deemed an emergency that these tanks need replacing in these communities and the residents need assistance with that. So I’m calling upon the government to come up with a strategy for the community of Wrigley and let’s address all these homes that are badly in need of replacing these water tanks. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the water tanks that need replacing in Wrigley. I believe it’s reaching a critical stage. About six weeks ago the community health representative tested about six houses and their water tanks and deemed two of them not potable, meaning that they cannot use it for household use. It’s really impacting the families there. I’m not too sure who to ask this question to. We’ve got several departments responsible for water in the community. Perhaps I can start with or ask the Minister of Health and Social Services.

What I’m looking for is that the...

Thank you very much. Perhaps we have to pursue it further tomorrow. I just wanted to get details on the completion of the floor for the Nahanni Butte gymnasium, but if they don’t have that, I can ask that in the House tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just with respect to the details of the $67,000, what is that being used for?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That’s an avenue I wasn’t told about. When a couple families called me, their first line was, of course, to see the Housing Corporation and they were denied immediately. That’s exactly what it was there, Mr. Speaker, there was just an outright no. There were no alternative solutions provided to them. Hence, I’m raising it in the House and I’m glad that at least there’s one avenue that the Premier had indicated. I would like to ask the Premier if there are any other routes or avenues that we can address this critical situation of the water tanks in Wrigley...

I’m aware of the rules for the House, so if it was up to me, I’d keep asking each Minister individually until I reach the right one. What I’m actually after is that federally, in the eastern provinces they recently announced a Water Tank Maintenance Program in fact to replace some water tanks on a reserve. It is really getting to a crisis stage in Wrigley. They’ve got many, many homes and their water tanks are in very poor condition. They’re in arrears with the Housing Corporation. They can’t get programming to replace the tanks, so we’re going to have to look at a unique and different program...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

In this month’s edition of The Native Journal there’s a news brief about investment of $7 million by DIAND in the Atlantic region. Almost half of this funding is being directed to water and wastewater projects in First Nation communities. Funded projects include water and sewer lot development, water and wastewater improvements, and water tank maintenance. All across Canada there are issues and challenges related to water and wastewater management. There are also problems in the Northwest Territories.

Presently the health...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. These changes are huge. Maybe the Minister can tell me how many rate zones we’ll be reducing. I don’t know if he mentioned it in here at all. Then, of course, Mr. Speaker, one of my election... When I first got elected I always aimed to move towards a one-rate zone, but I see that at least we’re consolidating some zones. Maybe the Minister can explain that. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have that as a date to move forward. I know that recently in the newspaper the president of the NWT Power Corporation had indicated that the minimum rates would remain the same, but the Minister made an even better announcement that there will be some reductions across the board in many communities. Can he explain if there is a communication strategy as a result of this announcement today that will go out to the communities and throughout the NWT? Thank you.