Inuvik Twin Lakes

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 17)

The NWT Housing Corporation has a few programs that are targeted at seniors, the Seniors Preventative Maintenance Program being one of them. You used to be able to qualify for up to $875, but it’s been raised to $2,000 and that will enable them to get some preventative maintenance work done on their unit. As well, through the CARE program, the old seniors program, they would qualify for possibly up to $20,000, but through the CARE program they can qualify up to $90,000 and seniors are given a priority. But as I heard in one of my visits to the Member’s community, there was some discussion...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 17)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seniors continue to be one of the highest core needs across the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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

Each fall and winter we work with the community governments to support their revised capital investment plans and if they identify streetlights as one of their priorities, then we would work with them to include the streetlights in their capital plans. The communities have done quite good at doing their capital plans, and I can inform the Member that one of his communities has actually identified street lighting as part of their capital plan and they’re hoping to do the implementation during this fiscal year.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The way it worked before was that the Power Corporation would install the poles and streetlights and then bill MACA, when MACA had the responsibility and all the infrastructure money. Since the implementation of the New Deal, it is now the community’s responsibility to work with the Power Corporation in having streetlights installed in the community.

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

I will commit to working with the different groups and seeing what was included and what was not included. The Member mentioned earlier on in his statement about the infrastructure that transferred over to the communities and how some of it was aging, which is true. Had we gone about doing business in the old system, a lot of that infrastructure would never be replaced for a long time because they’d be at the end of the line in priorities. So by doing this, giving the money to the communities, having them have the responsibility, I think we’ve seen some good work towards some of the...

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

My understanding is there weren’t any regulations that were in place. It was something that the community would identify to the Power Corporation and try and have the proper lighting installed. The communities worked with the Power Corporation to come up with the needed lights in the community.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Listening to all of the Members speak, I don’t think there is really much more I can add. What I am quite surprised about is, is there anything you haven’t done? I hear Michael talking about you driving a Cat. I think when we were in Inuvik for an elder’s speech one time, you actually worked on the utilidor in Inuvik. That is why I was thinking there is nothing this man hasn’t done.

I just met Tony recently. I haven’t had an opportunity to know him that long, but you meet him the first time and he just makes you feel like you have been friends forever. I appreciate Tony...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

This is a concern that we’ve heard from some of the Members on how we deliver programs to the seniors and I had committed earlier to the Member for Tu Nedhe that we do have district staff going into the community. If there were seniors that needed our staff to go see them and help them fill out the applications and also with translation, they’d be willing to do that. So we continue to refine how we deliver our programs for seniors because we do want our seniors to have a nice, comfortable lifestyle and if there is anything we can do to assist with that, that’s something we are constantly...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

All those that wish to enter the program through the Housing Corporation are encouraged to apply. There is a process that we have to go through as far as addressing policy changes. So I would encourage those that may know that they’re in arrears, to apply and then the district offices will follow the process as it’s laid out. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to provide an update to Members and the general public on our decision to return responsibility for public housing rent assessments to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, my first priority after I was appointed Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation was to examine the issue of the public housing rental subsidy and explore ways to find resolution to the challenges that the program’s administration was causing for public housing tenants and front-line staff.

On January 28, 2010, following a review of the issues and examination...