Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask the Minister of Housing if there are some questions on the 2001 Housing Survey that was released. He did mention in his Member’s statement last week, too, and concurred with me that the core needs survey was definitely increased in the Nahendeh riding. Just in those terms there, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, given the numbers of that survey, what is his strategy going forward, most particularly in decreasing the numbers in the Nahendeh riding? Thank you.

I just wanted to indicate to the Minister that, I think, previously we were using 1.5 summer students, but I think what worked well for my particular riding was the number two, so I just wanted to indicate that once again. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That’s exactly part of it too. I look at that project as a make-work for Fort Simpson. If we just send in equipment to tear down the building, that’s not doing anything to help improve our economy. Taking it apart and saving salvageable material can be good for Fort Simpson and for anybody who wants to access the material that’s there. Once again, if the Minister will provide and ensure that there is an assessment done, that there is salvageable material and not just tear it down quickly for the sake of tearing it down.

The old Deh Cho Hall is a huge building. It has lots of materials that can and should be used for the community for other projects. It has some really good lumber in there, once we strip away the boarding and plywood. There is lots of structural lumber. I heard that all the material will be destroyed and I think that’s a shame. I think the community and residents should access it. What can we do to ensure that the community residents can access any salvageable material at the Deh Cho Hall?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the achievement of my constituents who were selected to represent the NWT at the Vancouver Olympics. They are: performers Gerry Antoine, a gifted Dene drummer from Fort Simpson, and Wesley Hardisty, a dynamic fiddler also from Fort Simpson. These men will be giving visitors from around the world a chance to enjoy our fine music from the North.

As well, our traditional arts and fine crafts will be showcased by Karen Cumberland from Fort Liard, who will be displaying the artistry of her birch bark basketry, and John Sabourin from Fort Simpson, who...

The Minister gets it exactly. I’d like the department to provide an assessment and I’d like to see the report, too, that we can salvage some of the material, and to ensure that assessment is being done as they deliberate any future contracts with the demolition of the Deh Cho Hall. Can the Minister assure that assessment about salvageable materials be done as soon as possible?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This coming year we’re looking at taking down the Deh Cho Hall in Fort Simpson. The constituents are wondering about accessing the material that’s there. I’ve heard through the grapevine, I guess, that all the materials are contaminated and cannot be used. I’d like to ask the Minister of Public Works about the ability of residents and the community of salvaging some of the material should the Deh Cho Hall be taken down in Fort Simpson.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this motion here today. I believe that in our small and remote communities we do have poverty issues and overcrowding issues in our housing. However, I believe that the direction that this motion gives is to have a consolidated plan for our government and that our communities with grassroots ideas and organizations that they can work with government to better help their communities. I think that we’re going in the right direction with this motion.

Just in terms of the strategy in the other regions, does that mean the Health and Social Services department has contacted the leadership, the band councils, the village councils, the Metis councils? I think part of the press conference they are talking about is it’s a community approach that’s got to be taken in this, especially if there are increased numbers in some of those communities. Does the strategy include advising the local leadership, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I spoke about the MRSA press release that happened in the Tlicho region yesterday, the superbug or the anti-bacteria. Anyways, Mr. Speaker, I noted that I do have a communication and management plan for the Tlicho region and they’re quite active in pursuing it there. I’d just like to know what is the strategy in the other regions and are there cases in other regions, most specifically, of course, the Nahendeh riding. Thank you.