Shane Thompson

I couldn't agree more with the Minister. Elders are very important, and they are our foundation. I am greatly happy to hear that the Minister and the corporation are looking at that, and they will look into it maybe even before community plans are done, if the communities come forward. My next question is: in some of the smaller communities, we do not have contractors or tradespeople. In other regional centres, contractors do not find the projects big enough that are happening in these small communities to bid on, so we can see projects delayed or not done at all. Can the Minister advise if...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Standing Committee on Social Development received a presentation from the NWT Housing Corporation about the senior planning study. I have to say I am very impressed with the quality of the work done by the corporation. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why the corporation's primary focus is on the communities of Hay River and Yellowknife when, if you look at the projected seniors population of 2028, we have four communities that will see seniors' populations increase...

Thank you. It just blows my mind. I am glad that he thinks it is reasonable. I am glad that he thinks it is moderate. I am glad that he thinks it is minor. When he talks about getting a mortgage, well, you lock into a mortgage for a period of time, unless you don't want to lock into it, depending on the market. He said we didn't do it for 20 years. Well, why are people being punished now? Could we not look at gradually implementing it? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister then advise, you know, how much overtime do we see there? Would it be better to actually have new staff in place? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would just like to follow up on questions by Mr. McNeely there. In regard to the special constable, has the department been looking at this as an opportunity to get more Indigenous police officers in the system? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, can you tell me what you mean by modest or minor? I am sitting here looking at these numbers, and even though you are saying that it is 50 cents on one and 50 cents on the other, my calculations are a 33 percent increase and a 50 percent increase. I don't know where you come from saying it's minor and modest. That is a huge increase. If you are doing that across the board with all of these things, it is a minor amount, you figure? For somebody that is buying a home, that may be something that is a little bit of a challenge as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is great to hear. I actually applaud you guys for looking outside of the box and at home communities, as well. That is very positive. My next question is: what is the status of the department's plan to introduce additional security measures at North Slave Correctional Centre? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand the Minister's apprehension to this, but, again, if we are really going to look at the feasibility of this, that has to be part of the process. So, again, I am asking the Minister and the department if they are willing to add this to part of the evaluation of it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. If I am understanding correctly, you're not sure, so it probably won't be done during the 18th Assembly? Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess my question is: what is the training? Have we started the training of staff? Have we got programs? Staff have to be getting trained so that they can actually be operational when all of that work is done, and we are not waiting. Can the Minister elaborate and focus on just the training? Has there been training done, and what are the next steps moving forward? Thank you, Mr. Chair.