Rocky Simpson

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I had sent a request to the department I guess on that issue, and I don't recall getting a response but I'm glad I received one here today. And I hope that you can do something with it. And it may be looking at a separate program that's probably a double major repair program, because it's going to be costly.

The other thing I want to just talk about is seniors aging in place. And with respect to their retrofits and repairs, do you have the numbers, I guess, in front of you that would how many applicants, how many were approved and how many were denied? Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple questions actually. The first one is just elaborate there on what Mrs. Martselos said, talked about, which is the means test. The means test, can you tell me, I guess, how it is used? Like, is it just based on what on income, or does it take into account, you know, the cost of living as well? Like, you know, you might have somebody who has an older home, they're above the threshold, but their cost of living brings them down below that threshold. Like, how is it used? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yeah, you know, in the beginning, like I said last year I think in a statement, is that when this policy was first implemented, I think it was targeted towards Indigenous people and they had to add in the P2s I think to get it passed, and after talking to some of the drafters anyway. So I just want to make sure that we get it right.

So, Madam Speaker, will the Minister confirm if there was any consideration given to do away with the affirmative action policy or keep it or replace it with other forms of support or programs such as an Indigenous and northern training and...

I think I need some sick days.

Madam Speaker, many of us understand why the affirmative action policy was first implemented 30 plus years ago, and still we seem unable to reach our target for Indigenous hires. Why is that? Is it because of the education levels? Because of the type of positions available? Because of location of potential Indigenous employees? Because we have a young population not of working age? Is it because we have settled claims and people are working there instead? Is it because of the buddy system that we often hear about? Is it about racism? Is it about hiring the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One issue that I see arises once in a while is the fact that seniors, who have been approved under retrofits and repairs, in communities I guess where like, Hay River's going to be an issue. I'll use that as an example just because the flooding, the amount of work that's going on there. I know there's people looking to have work done this year. They've been approved. And I know the cost when the costs come in, they're probably going to be a lot more than what you think it's going to be and it's going to be over that over the limit. How do you deal with that? Do you top...

Seniors aging in place retrofits and repairs.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One issue I want to bring up, and it's probably under the major repairs, is in Hay River we have an issue, and it may be in other communities as well, where they use wood basements. We have a number in Hay River, I know, that are compromised because of frost. And the repair costs for those are probably a $100,000 plus. And I'm just wondering if there's any programs or if there's any I guess appetite to look for additional money to help those seniors that are facing that, because I know in Hay River there's a few seniors that have issues and continue to have issues with...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. You know, I understand that we have like, we have this policy already in place. We have all these programs in place. And I guess I ask myself why haven't we been able to meet that target? And, you know, I look at one of the areas that I you know, I think that hasn't been mentioned is the lack of accountability of DMs and management. Like, they are the ones there that have to make sure that those policies are being followed. And when I talk to people, I don't think that's happening. But anyways, Madam Speaker, residents are concerned that the notice of meetings in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate that answer. Can the Minister tell me what the status is on the development of a business case to access federal dollars for harbour remediation? Has that business case been completed and submitted to the federal government and, if not, why not? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, spring breakup is just around the corner so let us talk harbour remediation. Mr. Speaker, once again, and in the off chance this government has forgotten, the community of Hay River has the largest inland port in western Canada. It is home to a Canadian coast guard base, a federal department of fisheries and oceans office; our own marine transportation service; and, what could be a viable commercial fishing industry.

The community of Hay River is a major and significant component of our northern transportation corridor as well. It is where truck and rail freight from the south...