Richard Nerysoo

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As an elected official, I would like nothing better than to see the residents of the Northwest Territories succeed. No matter what kind of lifestyle we choose, we all possess potential. This potential that we all have can only grow and make us better citizens of our respective communities. But, Mr. Speaker, the income support system is failing our residents and helping them develop on their given potential. We have many members of our communities who choose not to seek a productive, meaningful choice for a brighter future for themselves and their families merely for the...

Thank you for the encouraging words, that's very promising. Providing the recipients with a cheque is not working in respect to the client spending the money on unethical resources. Can the department look at alternatives like working in collaboration with their local outlets where's to set up some sort of an account? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for ECE. In no way my questions or statement is belittling the recipients of this program; I just want a better lifestyle for these individuals.

Will the department look at changing its policies in regards to having the recipients for this program completing a productive choice before they're eligible to receive income support? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the select few who have fulltime employment and keep up to date with their rents, will the department look at homeownership options for these tenants? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my recent constituency meetings within my riding, the concern of rent scales has come to my attention by many of the attendees. They are frustrated because it does not work for everyone living in the public housing units.

Mr. Speaker, there are many factors that are related to the cause of this failure in the way that the rent is calculated. The current rent scale is calculated based on the previous year's income. Once your income tax is submitted, the local housing authorities calculate your rent for the whole year. We are experiencing high unemployment rate as...

Final question, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. There are two programs available. The homeownership initiative and the home purchase program. Are these programs still in existence? Because I have two constituents who are who have fulltime employment and have been trying to get some answers on these programs but they're not getting any concrete answers. I am just wondering are these programs still in existence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions going to the Minister of housing. In my statement, I referred to the rent and how it's not working for the tenants of the Northwest Territories in the housing association. Will the Minister look at restructuring the current rent scale?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past, we've been mainly targeting the individual. The families are the ones that are hurting at this time. So I would like to see this government target the families as well, where the whole family's counselled. Can the Minister give me a timeframe on when the department will be able to start the process of consultation to get these programs underway? Thank you.

My questions are directed to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Will the Minister direct her staff to look at these existing programs in hopes of implementing them in the Northwest Territories?

This approach is kind of sensitive area for me. Maybe if a family orientated counselling services was available or was available in the past, I would have definitely benefitted with my family. Will the Minister and her staff be willing to visit Whitehorse centre to get some information on the pros and cons of this family orientated counselling service? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.