Inuvik Twin Lakes

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Krutko already recognized him but I would like to recognize Charlie Furlong, who we didn’t know until now was responsible for this.

---Laughter

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

I sign off Commissioner’s lands transactions three or four times a week. We have properties all across the Northwest Territories where people are applying for Commissioner’s property. Now, is it the Member’s wish that I inform the Members, even though it’s not their particular riding, of all the transactions that take place or is there a size limit to it? If that’s his wish, then it’s something we can do. The price that was arrived at in this was in accordance with the land pricing policy of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The sale wasn’t final until a survey was going to be done. So a survey had to be done and then the sale would have been final.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

We all have seniors in our ridings that would like to access some of the programs. Some of our seniors get turned down because of the income. If the particular person has exhausted all the programs that we have to offer, then there would be no need for repairs in this particular case. I’m pretty sure in this particular case we’re able to assist the senior and that again goes to show that even though they’ve exhausted all the programs that we have to offer and the money that comes with it, we’re still willing to assist a senior that needed our help.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The territorial government puts a lot of money into the care of our seniors and their homes. We have a preventative maintenance program that’s very well subscribed so that allows seniors to have work done on their units. Also through the CARE program, seniors that qualify can receive up to $90,000 in assistance to do the work in their homes and seniors usually are priority with the NWT Housing Corporation.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Thank you. Obviously there are a lot of questions we could ask about any issue debated in this house. This was one issue where all the proper processes were followed in accordance with disposal of Commissioner’s land. I’m not sure what the Member is talking about, the Town wanting to see the lease. I’d have to follow up on that and see if there’s been a request for the Town to view the lease. I know the lease was just signed recently. So I’ll follow up with that and see if there was ever a request to have a look at the lease. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They had originally intended to purchase the property but it worked out in the end where it was decided that it was a lease, so it is a lease. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Mr. Speaker, the better news is the LHOs are not going chasing after these people. These folks are actually coming into the LHO office and they are verifying their income and they’re getting reassessments done. People have taken it upon themselves to come into the LHOs, which is really encouraging, and if the LHOs find that there’s somebody that they need to see, well, obviously, they’ll contact them and tell them they need to come in. So the communication is there, but we do have clients that are coming into the LHOs and getting reassessments done and in some cases it’s working out for them...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been very encouraged by the number of people that have been coming into the LHOs to get reassessments. The percentages of people that are coming in are improving each time. We have made some progress is writing off what is perceived to be artificial arrears, and as long as they come and verify their income... In one particular case a person came in and verified all their income for a period of that time and left the LHO owing zero arrears. We do note that is helping some people and we’ll continue. Once I get the updated numbers, I’ll provide them to the Members.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 44)

I will commit to the Member that we will have a look at how land is disposed of. Again I just want to assure the Member and Members of this House that this land was all disposed of in accordance with and all the proper processes were followed. They had expressed an interest, they got a hold of us, we worked with them and a deal was worked out. Though some people may not like the decision, that’s just the way this whole thing played out and the Norman Wells Land Corporation has some development plans for the future to benefit their people and if there’s an opportunity there for us to help them...