Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Western Northwest Territories Biophysical Study. Thank you.

Document 20-16(2), 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Western Northwest Territories Biophysical Study, tabled.

I appreciate the urgency of this issue as articulated by the Member, and I would just reiterate my commitment that this issue is already being dealt with. We have been in contact with the Housing Corporation, and we should quickly get this resolved without too much further ado.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m aware of the case that the Member’s referencing, and I have the same question. I’m in the process of following up with the Housing Corporation that leaving this Territory for two weeks should in no way impair a Northerner’s residency. So we’re in the process of sorting that one out.

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

Mr. Speaker, the housing challenges facing this Territory and this country are great. The challenges are further compounded by the uncertainties surrounding federal housing funding.

On March 31, 2009, all federal funding for homelessness and repair programs as well as for new construction is scheduled to sunset. This also includes the three housing trusts, including the Northern Housing Trust, which provided $50 million towards our three...

Finally, I give notice that on Monday, February 18, 2008, I will move that Bill 7, Securities Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I also give notice that on Monday, February 18, 2008, I will move that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act, be read for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the concerns of the Member, and I recognize that in some cases our policy design and program design tend to have a very modern, urban focus and sometimes maybe undervalues the reality that in small communities where people burn wood — as the Member indicated, they may be living in log homes or older homes where they don’t have fire hydrants and those type of things…. So those are very legitimate concerns.

I would extend the invitation that the Member made. In fact, I would like to broaden it to say that I would be very pleased to sit down with the housing officials and...

Mr. Speaker, in the information I have, in 2004-2005, there were 168 clients; in 2005-2006, 156; and in 2006-2007, 162.

Mr. Speaker, as far as I know, under the rules of SFA, as long as a student is on SFA and is training and is eligible for SFA and is down south in post-secondary institutions upgrading their education, they continue to be considered a Territory resident, they’re covered with their health care, they continue to get SFA, and they’re considered to be N.W.T. residents for the purposes of all those areas, including voting. So we’re very clear that if you’re there for two years, four years, working on your Masters, you’re a Northerner, and we want you to come home. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, on my way I saw a constituent, Mr. Archie Smith, who I’m very pleased and honoured to recognize, and as well Mr. Rodgers, the chair of the WCB from Inuvik. I had breakfast with him this morning.