Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think we were really close to an answer that time. We heard “will be turned down,” but we didn’t hear “were turned down.” So, Madam Speaker, were any applications turned down, yes or no, because of lack of funding? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I wish I had questions for the Minister of Transportation today because I also have driven the soupy cow trail, also referred to as Highway No. 7. Fortunately, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation will have the pleasure of my questions today, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, yesterday and today I talked about the $72,000 payment for down payment assistance, as well as a $109,000 payment. My concern is the pot is drying up very quickly with the enormous, outrageous payments to one or two clients out there that, as far as I am concerned, aren’t connected to...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With that in mind then I’ll just ask directly is it the design of this program to get people out of social housing, which is a good thing, but is it designed to get them out of social housing at any cost? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Minister for that efficient reply. Now I will ask the fine Minister the detailed question, which was how many applications were turned down? If we turned down one, that is a travesty. So how many applications did we turn away at the door because the funding pot had dried up with us giving away outrageous payments of $50,000 plus, $60,000 plus, $72,000 plus? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Humblest apologies, Madam Speaker, humblest apologies. Madam Speaker, I think the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation gave me an excellent answer to a question I really hope to ask one of these days, because it was a very qualitative answer. The question was, clearly, if someone was approved of the financing, approved of the waiting period, approved of everything, that great answer that was said by the Minister. Were any applications returned because the funding pot had dried up? I am referring to only approved applications. Were any returned because...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise again today on the foot of yesterday’s Member’s statement. I still have serious concerns with the EDAP program. Madam Speaker, I want to firmly ensure that people of the Northwest Territories know that I am absolutely proud that this government is putting people in the North into home ownership, and I think that’s the number one issue that needs to come forward here so people know that it’s important for me.

However, Madam Speaker, I don’t think it’s fair that we continue to give one family $72,000 to ensure that that one family gets into a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can see we’re slowly getting somewhere, like an iceberg here moving along the great divide. But, Mr. Speaker, let me put $72,000 into real dollars. Mr. Speaker, if I took home $72,000 in a pay cheque, that means I would have made over $105,000 that year. This is grantable money of $72,000. That’s a lot of money that’s tax free, straight across. As far as I’m concerned, we still haven’t heard the details and we have five more days of this session to go. I’m sure we’ll hear it by the end of it. Mr. Speaker, what were the exact details of this? What did they have for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has been here long enough to realize that he’s not supposed to ask Regular Members questions. I was kind of hoping maybe a point of order on that, but I’ll answer the question. I’m very proud that we’re putting people into housing and I’m proud to hear this government puts in housing, but you know what? The bottom line is I’m mad to find out that we’re putting $72,000 into one house. We could have done a lot better than that and it seems unreasonable. All I asked for was for you to explain the details of why one person received $72,000 when we could have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was seeking clarity into the situation of why someone would receive $72,000. Is our goal as a Housing Corporation, is the government trying to make sure that they only pay a $200 a month mortgage? I don't know. Those are the kinds of questions that I was asking the Minister.

The program is based, if you read their web site, on a sliding scale. What is that sliding scale? A lot of the applicants that I have spoken to who have received money don't even know how much they are getting until the day the cheque is cut, at the end of the process. Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing it has been a long day, I will just ask one question and quite quickly to the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to TTC. That being said, it may be a little bit of a lengthy one, but it will be fast. Mr. Speaker, I’m trying to understand why this government preaches decentralization, about being fair and equitable and making sure everyone gets a fair shot, but the bottom line is I think the Minister just mentioned Fort Smith has a facility somewhat of a similar nature, and the bottom line is now if we remove the one out of Yellowknife and...