Wendy Bisaro

It’s unfortunate we don’t know at this point that we’re going to get more money for homelessness; $300,000 is a pittance, and it really doesn’t address the needs that we have across the territory. But I thank the Minister for the opportunity to provide some input in December. I look forward to that.

A response that I got to some questions I sent to the Minister some time ago mentioned that the Housing Corp is working with Health and Social Services to keep seniors in their homes and he referenced a project that they were working on. I wondered if he could tell me whether or not that project has...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of the Housing Corporation. I’d like to follow up on a bit of a pet subject of mine and that’s homelessness.

Some time ago, I guess it was in 2011, we received a report on homelessness in Yellowknife. Following that there was a commitment from the government to hire a homelessness coordinator. That has been done and I’m very pleased to see that we’ve had that coordinator for going on to a full year now, I think.

The Premier and the Minister both promised an evaluation of the two programs that we had before we got the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I look forward to that information and those details. Lastly, the Falvo Report in 2011 referenced the need for standards within the homelessness facilities, particularly within the city of Yellowknife here, and I’m talking about the Centre for Northern Families and the Salvation Army. I’d like to know from the Minister if the idea of establishing standards for homelessness centres is something that is on the radar of his department.

I’m a little surprised that it was August when we hired the coordinator. Some months ago it was going to be January. I’m very glad that we have somebody hired and we have somebody in the position. I’m very glad that homelessness is going to be under one person’s authority and purview.

I’d like to know from the Minister if there are any plans, in terms of homelessness, for the 2014-15 budget that he can share with us at this time. Are we going to have an increase in the amount of money that’s available for homelessness programs?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recently encountered an unfortunate situation that was brought to me by a constituent regarding habitation in a family home. My constituent was living in a home with a spouse, and the long-term relationship was breaking down. The title to the home was in the spouse’s name only. My constituent was extremely concerned that occupancy of their shared home would be denied during or after the marriage breakdown, basically thrown out on the street.

Although it’s not well known, this situation is covered under our Family Law Act. Section 51 of the act states, “If the home is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement. I have some questions for the Premier today about the lack of a policy for infrastructure contributions to a non-government organization. I mentioned in my statement, the Standing Committee on Social Programs has tried unsuccessfully, several times, to get the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to take on this task and to bring it forward and we have been rebuffed at least twice. Committee believes really strongly, as I do, that we need a policy.

I would like to first ask the Premier whether or not the Premier and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over two years ago, as Members reviewed the 2012-13 capital budget, we debated a $1 million infrastructure contribution to an NGO. As part of the capital budget, Cabinet had proposed this considerable contribution to the Children First Society in Inuvik for a new early childhood care centre. I opposed that project, not because I did not see value in the project, and not because I disagreed with the intent of the building. No, I opposed approving the funding because it was a one-of-a-kind budget item and there was no government policy to guide how this type of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my great pleasure today to be able to recognize former Commissioner John Parker and his wife, Helen Parker. I knew them as parents when I was teaching and I’m really glad to see them here. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding was when this committee was established that the periods when they would meet, the frequency of their meetings was established in the terms of reference for that committee. Can the Minister advise me whether that is so? Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister for that update. The committee was supposed to meet in October. It’s gratifying to hear that they did meet at the time they were actually supposed to. It doesn’t happen all that often.

I’d like to know from the Minister, they met in October and they are going to bring results forward to the Minister in the new year, so when is the committee supposed to meet next. How often will they meet and consider minimum wage? Thank you.