Tom Beaulieu

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about programs and policies of the NWT Housing Corporation. Having just returned from Fort Resolution, I find that housing is still a big problem with many residents of Tu Nedhe.

Mr. Speaker, I think part of the problem may be changes made a few years ago with the corporation’s housing programs. Unfortunately, when the corporation revised programs from 14 programs down to their current four programs this created a whole new set of problems for housing clients.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS section 91(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner to exercise the powers and perform the duties set out in the act;

AND WHEREAS the appointment of the current Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Mr. Gerald Gerrand, expires November 30, 2009;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly considers the appointment of a Conflict of Interest Commissioner essential to exercise the powers and perform the duties under the act;

AND...

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to working with me a little closer and also working with the community to getting the wheels in motion for establishing a park in this new area that I am talking about? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I spoke about establishing a new territorial park near the community of Fort Resolution. I would like to follow up with my questions to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me in general terms what the process for identifying and establishing a new territorial park is? Thank you.

Would the Minister also commit to visiting with the community? It is a bit of a controversial issue around the establishment of the park in a different area. Would the Minister agree to meet with me and the leadership and other interest groups to talk about this new proposed site himself in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the initial process will be closer to what the community is looking for. It is more of a campsite, although it is referred to as a territorial park. Can the Minister confirm if there is any funding in place for establishing this type of park in and around the area of Fort Resolution? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about establishing a new territorial park in the Tu Nedhe riding near Fort Resolution. Having recently returned from a community visit to Fort Resolution, I met with a group of residents who informed me of their desire to establish a new territorial park. Currently, I believe, there has been some discussion around establishing a territorial park at Mission Island; however, there is some concern over this, because Mission Island holds significant spiritual interest for the community.

Mr. Speaker, many residents do not want to see this sensitive...

Thank you. As indicated in my Member’s statement and mentioned by the Minister, a needs survey is very important. I was wondering if the Minister could tell me specifically when the results of the needs survey can be available for use.

Thank you, Minister, for the response. Will the Minister commit to implementing such a housing plan in both communities of Tu Nedhe: Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, today I’m going to talk a bit about housing, people that own their own houses and their rental units, the way they’ve been handling the way they work with the housing programs and I want to ask the Members, I will ask the Minister of Housing. (Translation ends)

I have had the opportunity to meet many constituents across Tu Nedhe over the last two years. Housing problems continue to be the number one issue as far as most constituents are concerned. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the NWT Housing Corporation staff need to develop an overall housing...