Robert C. McLeod

We’re always looking at ways that we can bring the core need numbers down and the investment that we are making, whether it be in the public housing stock or through the Homeownership Programs. It’s an ongoing process. We’re always looking for ways that we can improve the delivery of our programs with the investment that we have. We’re quite confident that when we meet again next year for the budget session that some of our numbers should go down. The communities that need the most investment to bring their core need down will be getting the most investment. We’re quite confident that we’ll...

We have a pretty good idea that we know what it will take to address core need. That’s why the corporation, using the money that is due to run out next year -- the federal infrastructure money is due to run out in 2010-2011 -- we’re taking steps to channel a lot of that money into the communities with the highest core need so we’d be able to address a lot of the issues, whether it be major M and I projects, which is one of the contributing factors to the high number of core need, talking about the adequacy. We’re taking steps to address that and there’s a huge investment being made in repair...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Involving the youth in the hand games tournament would be something that I think we would encourage the communities to do and a lot of the elders. There are many programs out there that if the funding meets the criteria, then we’d be able to assist them. Thank you.

The strategy that we have to address core need is to make an investment in the communities with the highest core need. We’re quite confident that will address a lot of the issues as far as core need goes. We have about a year and a half left of the federal money they have invested plus what we’ve contributed. Since 2004-2005 we’ve actually invested about $224 million into trying to address this and the money has gone to a lot of the communities that are in highest need. That is our strategy for the next couple of years, is to take what we’ve learned from the Community Needs Survey and allocate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are many reasons that the core need would rise. It’s not just a matter of putting the product on the ground. The affordability is a contributing factor; suitability of housing and adequacy. We’ve taken steps to address the core need. With the money that’s been invested by the federal government and matched by this government, we’re quite confident that within a year or two we’ll have addressed or made a serious dent in the core needs in the communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Take-a-Kid Trapping Program, April 2007 to March 2009 Report.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide Members with an update on Northwest Territories participation in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Over the past several months, youth ambassadors and traditional games participants have spent many hours preparing to represent the NWT at the games. These individuals have shown great determination in improving their knowledge on northern people, places and culture and activities, so that they may share this knowledge and understanding with the rest of the world.

Mr. Speaker, our youth ambassadors are fabulous representatives of the NWT...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Starting this evening in Inuvik they’re having their annual IRC native hockey tournament. This is a tournament that started some 20 years ago and with a small group of teams. It has grown into a fairly big tournament today.

On Friday night they will be honouring one of the founding fathers of the IRC Cup, who unfortunately passed away on Boxing Day. They will be dedicating the arena to Roy Ipana, who was a huge supporter of hockey in Inuvik. He was one of those guys who was just larger than life and you just expected to be around forever. You don’t appreciate how much...

Mr. Speaker, when the review is started, I have committed to the Member that there will be public consultation. Obviously, we hear a lot of concerns out there with what they perceive to be the high rents that are charged. So we have to take that into consideration when we are doing the review of the rent scale and then we have to follow the recommendations or look at the recommendations and determine whether it is something that we want to implement sooner rather than later. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in undertaking the review, our intent is to have the review potentially completed into late 2010-11. Thank you.