Tom Beaulieu

For the Housing Corporation to be able to address the size of the problem with coordinating issues pertaining to senior households, can the Minister separate the seniors’ core need issues from the rest of the households like families and single peoples’ core need issues and do that as a top priority? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement I spoke of the NWT Housing Corporation delivering programs to seniors and the tax and lease arrears being a deterrent to that delivery. I would like to ask the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation some questions. Can the Minister change the policy of the repair programs so that land and tax arrears will not adversely affect the approval of seniors from obtaining repair programs for their units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I have always spoken in the House about the government putting as much support as possible for our youth. They are our future. Also, Mr. Speaker, I advocate that this government, in delivering programs to seniors, must do it in a respectful and timely manner.

Mr. Speaker, I feel this government must pay more attention to our seniors when delivering their programs. One of the programs that I speak of is the delivery of housing repair programs. Right now across the NWT, our seniors are going through a lot of hardship...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that’s good. I would like to thank the Minister for that response. Can the Minister develop a delivery strategy that’s focused on seniors so that when we go back to the seniors’ households and discuss housing issues with them, that we are able to tell them that there is some certain specific attention being paid to those households? Can the Minister develop a delivery strategy for seniors’ households? Thank you.

I guess I’m asking for a change of policy, which would be long term. But at this point in the year and the importance of the construction season, can the Minister direct his delivery staff in the regions to set aside issues pertaining to land arrears as far as tax and leases go for the delivery to our seniors’ households? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, while the issue of land tax arrears has been affected by many things in the past, including negotiations where small communities have been told this is Dene land, you don’t have to pay taxes and leases, as you can see, Mr. Speaker, this issue is very complex and the NWT Housing Corporation should not wait until it’s concluded before delivering programs to seniors that need programs so badly.

Mr. Speaker, during the appropriate time I’ll have questions for the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 5 on Monday, May 17, 2010, in Yellowknife. Committee members thank the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill. Committee also heard a presentation by Mr. Manual George regarding Bill 5 and would like to thank him for taking time to present his thoughtful comments.

The bill repeals and replaces the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certificate Act. It provides a framework for certification of apprentices in designated trades and trainees in designated occupations.

Foll...

Mr. Speaker, has the GNWT developed a standard strategy to engage newly elected officials? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I talked about the new chief and council for Lutselk’e. Recently the Deninu Ku’e First Nation in Fort Resolution, Metis Council, Deninu Ku’e Community Council held elections. As you know, each election brings new ideas, new personalities, along with some status quo. Mr. Speaker, sometimes this can be challenging and I have some questions for the Premier on that.

Can the Premier tell me what the GNWT does to support new councils, new chiefs, Metis presidents or even mayors to help the transition period from one community government to another? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the GNWT, we work on several projects with the communities whether it be a community council or a band council. Does the GNWT have a plan that updates all of the newly elected officials soon after their election on the initiatives and projects that are occurring in those communities? Thank you.