Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I challenge you and challenge this House; we have to at least ask the industry to see what they can do with $200 million in terms of providing housing. At the end of the day, ATCO could be the winner, but we would all be aboveboard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak on the Novel housing concept. Mr. Speaker, for me the rules of engagement for this government in the ATCO Novel housing is pretty straightforward. It is very straightforward. We, the people of the NWT, are to get a real good deal by taking over the used workforce trailers from the pipeline company after it is finished with them. We are lobbying for ATCO to get this contract, in the hopes that we will end up with at least 830 used but converted mobile homes at the end of the day at a cost better than anything else comparable, certainly a...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I’d like to take this opportunity to just make a very short comment about the motion and in support of the motion, but also to say something about how…I can’t think of a word, but I guess "good" is a good word; how good it feels to have this Human Rights Commission up and running. I feel like I’ve watched there from its inception and for the longest time we were the only jurisdiction, or one of the very few jurisdictions in Canada without our own Human Rights Commission and it’s really rewarding, I guess that’s the word, to see the project start from the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the Premier has information that none of us have, because as far as I know, maybe the Premier can share with us on this because as far as I know the company made a final offer and the union does not feel that they can accept the offer. Not because of the details of the package, but because of some of the things that the company's asking for that the company cannot accommodate. I don't see any other extra sources, anything changing that could bring the two parties back together. So maybe the Premier has something to share with us that I'm not aware of. I don't...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier and it's in regards to the ongoing labour dispute between the Ekati diamond mine and the UNW, Mr. Speaker. I made a statement at the beginning of this session about how difficult this situation is for both parties involved. I have written to the Premier on this issue, as well. I am sensitive to the complexities on this. It is an issue that involves two parties in the private sector and it does involve issues under the jurisdiction of the federal government which has the responsibility of labour and other areas. But...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to accept that, but I have to be alarmed by that because we were told by the officials from the department saying that we’re getting calls from all over the place, but none of them work, none of them will work, we’re not going to look at it. That is a very irresponsible thing for the government to do for a $200 million project. I need an objective analysis to make sure that we’re spending $200 million well. So would the Minister tender this project? At least do a request for proposals. What does he have to lose? If this project could stand on its own, it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I should say that, as I stated yesterday, I believe this government is going down the right path in terms of providing affordable housing in our communities that are desperately needed under the Affordable Housing Initiative. Mr. Speaker, by spending $100 million over the next three years, we’re going to build 530 units. That’s a great use, and in the process we’re going to build infrastructure and capacity in communities and we need to continue that. What I would like to see, what...

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to just finish my sentence? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again I just want to put my position on record on this motion. Understandably, and I think the chair of the AOC explained the examples that arises out of some of the discussions that we had in the committee that resulted in this recommendation. I am going to be voting in support of this motion, but with conditions. I think you can see from the motion that the committee is wanting the government to do some research on this. It’s very complex and it’s an issue that has layers of implications around it. It is the classic question of balancing the rights of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Premier make a commitment to this House that he would talk to the federal Minister of Labour in order to ascertain that they're paying close attention to this issue, and to see what are the options that the government has to ask them to mediate or whatever federal process there is? I'd like to know if he could report to the House about what his options are in that regard. Thank you.