Robert C. McLeod

We’re always trying to find ways to meet the needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories and this is one of the programs.

I’d advise the Member that the basic shelter concept policy is one that we’re renewing right now and to see if some of these programs would be able to fit under there. It’s a discussion that I would need to have. The Housing programs evaluation will be done very shortly and once we see the results of that evaluation, then we’d need to make some adjustment, if the will is there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Elders Home Program was about one of 17 different programs that were offered by the NWT Housing Corporation and in order to streamline the process, every one of the initiatives that was offered at the time would still fit under one of the four Housing Choices that we have now. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide Members with details on the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay.

The ancient Olympic flame has been transported from its home in Greece and lit for the first time on Canadian soil since the winter of 1988 when the games were held in Calgary, Alberta.

It began its 45,000 kilometre Canadian journey in Victoria, British Columbia, and today makes its journey north to Inuvik, home to some of our greatest athletes and former Olympians.

On November 5th, the torch will arrive in Yellowknife from Nunavut. In keeping with time-honoured traditions, it will be...

Mr. Speaker, in a lot of jurisdictions across the country it is the municipal government that provides the 911 service and funds it themselves. That is a position that we have taken, is that the communities have the financial ability to implement 911 if they choose to do so. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Commissioner’s Land Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill includes amendments that would require the posting of security on a lease of Commissioner’s land for a commercial or industrial use.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we understand the Member’s concern; it has been a concern raised by many Members before. We are trying to come up with and working on a strategy to work with clients to address some of the arrears and they can then qualify for some of the housing programs. One thing we want to be sure is that we need to have the engagement of the clients to come up with a repayment plan that is workable for them and workable for the Housing Corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We currently have 12 applications for the homeownership units in Fort Liard. We are just doing another intake as we speak. We will be processing the applicants and hopefully finding some that are qualified for homeownership. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we provide capital funding to the communities. We also provide gas tax funding to the communities. The seven communities in question that are mentioned in the report, between them they have $17 million in their capital infrastructure dollars and their gas tax money. They would be able to fund it. There is some concern from some of the other communities about a central dispatch not being in their community. They are just afraid that it would have the same effect as if you had to call the RCMP sometimes. They do forward you on to Yellowknife. So there is a concern with that too. But...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, safety is always one of our biggest concerns as a Cabinet. The Member makes a good point. We all here have communities that would potentially benefit from a 911 service. I have said on a few occasions that the communities have it within their power and they have the means to provide the service to their residents if they decide it is a priority for their community. I have also said that there are a couple of communities that are working on trying to enhance their emergency services before they take the next step into planning and implementing 911. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we are trying to be as flexible as possible in putting people in units. These are homeownership units. If clients cannot be found and if every avenue is exhausted, then we will need to have that discussion as to what to do with the units. If there are some creative ways we can work to get people in the unit, then obviously we’d be more willing to have a look at that and work with the Member.