Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I spoke about the fact that the NWT Housing Corporation has not yet dealt with the land acquisition for the six housing units that are going into Rae-Edzo for the second year of the market housing initiative. Community leaders are concerned, Mr. Speaker, and rightly so, that if last year’s performance is any indication, it may be early winter by the time the Housing Corporation manages to get those units ready for occupancy. Can the Minister tell me when the corporation will acquire the necessary land for these units? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 362-15(3): Market Housing Initiative In Rae-Edzo

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to the approval of land in Rae-Edzo, we are presently in the process with MACA to develop and forward an application, but we are also in discussions with a private businessperson to see if there’s a possibility of expanding this to just, say, 12 units. So we are in discussions with a private entrepreneur to look at the possibility of getting the private sector involved in this project so we can try to get more units into Rae-Edzo. Like you’ve mentioned, there is definitely going to be a demand for more units and it’s good to hear that the Tlicho agreement has passed because you are definitely going to need a major role building capacity to deliver your claim and also to deliver programs and services. So, again, we are in the process of working with MACA, but we are also in discussion with someone in the private sector to joint venture on the possibility of expanding this program from six units to, say, 12 or even 20. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 362-15(3): Market Housing Initiative In Rae-Edzo

Henry Zoe

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me his timeline for those discussions that he just mentioned? How soon would they be concluded? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 362-15(3): Market Housing Initiative In Rae-Edzo

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, probably one of the most crucial timelines we have to pass is get this budget through the House because the money is in the budget. So we have to get that approval in order to make that expenditure, but also we are in the process of talking to MACA and also talking to the private sector to develop this program. So once I get some timelines I will be sharing that with yourself, as a Member, to keep you involved in where we’re going. But, as it sits right now, it’s all based on the approval of the budget.