Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, that's good to hear. You know, I think that we have to you know, instead of competing against private sector, we got to support them. And, you know, they're out there, you know, creating jobs as well, and they've got their own infrastructure to pay for so it's important.

Just on there was some talk, I guess, about homelessness and, you know, the facility in Inuvik. And I'm not sure what the cost of running that facility is, but I'm sure it was up in the $2 million mark? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're closing in on spring. We're closing in on flood season. So let us hope that if no dredging takes place this year, let us hope that the ice, as it moves through the channel, scours the bottom of the river, gives it the six feet that we need to get the marine vessels safely through that channel. So that's what I'm hoping for. But failing that, can the Minister provide me with a realistic timeline as to when harbour remediation will take place on the Hay River? Thank you.

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...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The other thing I see here as well is you talk about in the activity description here under finance, occupational health and safety for the head office and also for district and local housing authority. One of the things I find in the communities is that it's kind of becoming an issue because we have places, for instance Riverview Lodge, which is basically for probably more single people than maybe couples. But what we're doing is we're getting a mix of people who really expect quiet enjoyment of their rooms but we are now starting to put in people who were homeless...

Thank you. That was a nice short answer. When we're talking about the hundred new homes, you know, I know there's dollars going to Indigenous groups as well. I know that the housing corporation actually bought the you know, a building here in Yellowknife as well. So how many of those hundred new homes would actually, say, go into Yellowknife versus communities outside? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'm pleased to hear that you say that you recognize they are underfunded. Not only are they underfunded but they don't have any longterm funding as well. And I think if we want to see some success and make sure that we get good value that we extend those terms out with them. And yeah, so that's I guess just more of a comment. So thank you, that's all.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I just find it strange is that in other communities, you know, say for instance Hay River, I'll use as an example, we've got a day and night shelter there and I'm not sure, we're probably Housing, I think might be putting $350,000 into it. So if we're spending $2 million there, I'm not sure what we're spending here in Yellowknife as well, but are we getting, I guess, value for the dollars we're putting out, or do we only get value for the dollars we're putting out when we have NGOs looking after it versus government? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. One of the Members here, I think the other day, alluded to the housing corp being work for third parties to generate revenue. And I guess I have a I kind of have an issue with government competing against private sector. And we seen that, you know, with the RCMP units. And it's not just with this department. It's also with infrastructure and other ones as well. So is this going to be sort of a new way of doing business? Are you going to is the department going to go out there and start looking for opportunities that compete against private sector in the future and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm pleased to hear that there is support from, you know, people along the Mackenzie River. And, you know, when we see oil and gas return, it'll be great.

Can the Minister tell me who in Ottawa she met with to discuss harbour remediation for Hay River and what was the outcome? Were any commitments received from the federal government? Thank you.