Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know there is a committee of social envelope Ministers. The committee that looks after the fund for small communities is currently working on their terms of reference and looking at moving forward to deal with the broader scope to address some of the issues that the Member has raised.

We have, as the one indication of the work we do with folks with disabilities, about 267 barrier-free units across the North. There are 51 in Yellowknife Housing Authority, for example. Then we start at the top with Aklavik; there are 14. I’d be happy to share this list with the Members if they wish.

I appreciate the Member’s concern, and what I will commit to is to get a listing of all the projects that are to be delivered this summer and over the course of this building season. If the Member would share with me the name of these two clients, I’ll make sure that update is provided to him as well.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll take the direction from Ms. Bisaro. The one issue that has come up that hasn’t yet been touched on is the internal audit function. I’ll just ask Mr. Polakoff to briefly explain the rationale.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to make an observation. It’s interesting that a Yellowknife MLA — where the community’s getting a bypass road, dementia centre, École St. Joseph, a new clinic, Stanton upgrades, to a total of many tens of millions of dollars — is making a motion that in effect pits two small communities against each other and stands back to see what happens. Which is fine; we’ll of course live with the will of this Legislature. It’s just an interesting dynamic when all of us who live outside of the big centre will be turning on each other, while the territorial capital...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to provide the Legislative Assembly with an update on provincial and territorial activities currently being undertaken in the area of housing.

As Members may be aware, federal/provincial/ territorial discussions on housing nationally are focused in three areas. Firstly, provinces and territories have been aggressively emphasizing the need for Canada to reinstate the O&M funding that is declining under social housing agreements signed by most provinces and territories.

Secondly, Canada has also been asked to reinvest so-called legacy savings, surplus funds...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, June 2, 2008, I will move the following motion.

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories call on the federal government to extend the housing programs due to expire on March 31, 2009; and further, that the Legislative Assembly strongly urges the Government of Canada to commit to discussing a long-term funding strategy with the provinces and territories; and further, that a copy of this motion be sent to the House of Commons.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, clearly we are interested in working with the committees and communities. In Yellowknife we’ve just opened Bailey House. We have the Salvation Army. We have the Side Door over here for youth. In some communities there are places for those who are hard to house to stay. But clearly, it is an issue, and we are willing to work with our Members.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While I have some familiarity with the file, this is an issue that’s clearly within the mandate of the Minister of Health and Social Services. I will ask her to respond.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Hon. Floyd Roland will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Western Premiers’ Conference in Prince Albert.