Robert Villeneuve

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask the Minister if he would give us clarification on any reviews or any studies that have taken place to address the issue of methodologies in which rehabilitation and repatriation and such or whatever Health and Social Services has to do to deal with persons with developmental disabilities, and if there are any reviews insofar as why they are being sent to Alberta to receive a non-aboriginal rehabilitation program when we are dealing with aboriginal persons? Is there any review on that? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to some recent meetings we’ve had over the last week concerning persons with developmental disabilities from the NWT who were sent to an Alberta institution to receive care and treatment for their disabilities. I do realize they were being sent to an Alberta institution, but the NWT has to abide by some policies and directives as set out by the Alberta government to legislate these institutions so they are run appropriately in the policy framework. I know that this government does spend well...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if he’s still here, but I would to recognize the chief of the Lutselk’e Dene Band, Chief Archie Catholique. He was here earlier, I don’t know if he’s behind me or what, but if he is, welcome.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First I just want to say hello to all the Members of this Assembly, to the people in the gallery and to all my constituents. It is a pleasure to return to Yellowknife to this Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly, and it is a welcoming sight to see all the Members returning to the session in good health. I sincerely hope that this remains the same in the future.

Mr. Speaker, since the last session in March 2004, many new developments have taken place, not only in the Tu Nedhe region, but also in the NWT and in Canada. With many new developments in the Tu...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation is on the hot seat, maybe we will just carry on with some questions on his portfolio.

---Laughter

I wanted to ask the Minister, in light of the CMHC’s plans to eliminate all funding for public housing in Canada including the NWT by 2038, and that the conundrum of the NWT Housing Corporation is how are they going to raise their own revenue to retain the current level of public housing programs. One thing in the public housing program that has been a real crutch for the staff and the clients in public housing is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his commitment to doing some kind of departmental review. Has the Housing Corporation ever considered the approach that the Nunavut government has been taking on their outstanding rent receivables that they have considered in their new rent scale program? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to acknowledge the tremendous contribution to literacy that the Lutselk’e Dene School Literacy Committee has achieved over the past year. Mr. Speaker, the Lutselk’e Dene School Literacy Committee comprises members which include Ms. Dawn Thompson, Miss Jenny English, Miss Doris Bruno, Miss Eleanor Young, and Mr. Geoff Bunckle. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, my colleagues and the people of the NWT, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to these individuals who have volunteered their time in making a worthwhile difference for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will look forward to receiving some recommendations out of that review of the Nunavut rent scale because I think it works, and it takes a different approach and bases everything on the previous year’s taxable income of their clients.

Could the Minister instruct his department to come back within the next few months with some documentation on some well researched and consulted recommendation on changes to our current rent scale program? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just one quick question on the Public Works and Services. I know the renovations for this office space, is that going to…Oh, okay, I'm answering my own question here, I just didn't read it. I didn't see the Human Rights Commission being in there. I just saw it now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess as everybody in the room is well aware, over the past couple of weeks when we were going over the budgets, that forced growth consumes millions and millions of government dollars that we have to deal with. A lot of points came up by a lot of Members saying that maybe we should put some belt tightening measures on forced growth. Something like this tax initiative, although it's regrettable that I would have to support something like this, I know that our fiscal framework taken into consideration is something that we're just going to have to do.

All I'm just...