Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Polakoff.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The rent scale review, when we looked at the Shelter Review Policy which was approved concurrently and looked at the approach that we were going to be taking with the Shelter Review Policy, because of the integral importance of the rent scale review we felt it would be helpful for us to integrate rent scale review, the final product, into the Shelter Review Policy simply because they are not mutually independent. They rely on each other. There’s been a lot of work done on the information related to rent scale review but we expect that the rent scale review itself will be a component of the Shelter Review Policy which we anticipate should be completed sometime in the early to late summer.
Thanks to the deputy minister, or president, for that information. I’m glad that the Shelter Review Policy has been mentioned. I guess I need to say, first of all, that it’s a little unfortunate that the rent scale review is taking so long. I can understand why it’s being tied in with the Shelter Review Policy, but it is unfortunate that it’s something that Members have been asking for for probably three years now and it’s still not ready to come.
The Shelter Review Policy I fully support. I think it’s something which is long overdue and I think we have many policies with regard to housing that create roadblocks and inhibit people from accessing housing easily and to getting the housing that they need or should have.
I would like to ask about the coordination of the Housing Corporation with other departments when they do this shelter review. I’ve said a number of times in the last while that we need to coordinate our policies across departments, and housing particularly ties in with income support. It ties in with Health and Social Services in terms of parents who’ve had their children apprehended and lose their home because they no longer have their children, they get the kids back and they don’t have a home where they can accommodate the children. There’s any number of situations where the housing policies and/or the policies of another department impact on housing that people need and are trying to get.
To the Minister: what kind of coordination will there be through all departments of the government when you’re doing this shelter review?
We would absolutely agree with the Member in terms of the importance of housing, but the interrelationship of housing with other departments, we’ve over the last several years worked very closely with our sister departments in ECE as well as the Department of Justice and others. We feel that the Shelter Review Policy has to be very closely coordinated with those other departments that also have a relationship with housing in various communities. The review itself is going to be co-chaired by the Executive as well as by the NWT Housing Corporation. The reason for the Executive taking such a critical role in this is because of their coordinative ability. In addition to the Executive in terms of strategic initiatives areas, is we will also be including staff from the NWT Bureau of Statistics as well as the program review area. It’s anticipated that the end result will be comprehensive and we’ll be looking at the integration in a number of areas, including Health and Social Services, seniors, et cetera.
Thanks for that information. I’m really glad to hear that it’s going to be a broad review. I just would like to also point out that I would hope that the Housing Corporation is going to keep in their sites that their review can have a large impact on those who are struggling with poverty and that it can be tied into our Anti-Poverty Strategy which we’re also working on.
I do want to comment on the need for seniors to have funding to assist them with their homes. It’s been mentioned by a couple of Members already. I think the Housing Corporation ought to seriously consider targeted funding for seniors. Whether it be preventive maintenance or whether it be regular ongoing repairs and maintenance, maybe we can figure out what percentage of housing is seniors housing and target that percentage of the CARE budget only for seniors. I think there needs to be some fund which is specifically targeted for seniors and for repairs to their homes. That’s just a comment.
I have a question in relation to transition housing. I note in the Minister’s opening comments that I didn’t see transition housing mentioned at all. It is something certainly that the Housing Corporation assists with. There are several non-government organizations in Yellowknife which do provide transition housing for clients that need it. I’d like to know from the Minister what kind of support the Housing Corporation provides in terms of transition housing. Is it only bricks and mortar or are there other programs that assist with transition housing?
In terms of transition housing, the Housing Corporation has provided significant funding to a number of facilities in the past. Probably one of the best examples would be Bailey House. In addition to Bailey House we’ve also been undertaking discussions with the Homelessness Coalition and so on.
I think what I would also point to, and the Member linked it to the Shelter Review Policy and we would agree, there’s an opportunity for transitional housing through the overall housing continuum. I guess one of the things that the Shelter Review Policy is really trying to take a closer look at is the housing continuum that runs from independent living right through to acute care. There’s a number of stops along the way that housing can play a critical role in or that we can achieve partnership with other GNWT departments. That’s really what the shelter review is looking at. That said, the Housing Corporation has undertaken investment in transitional housing.
We also work with NGOs. It’s important to recognize, as well, that NGOs can provide a good source of support in terms of administering things like transitional housing. We anticipate that the Shelter Review Policy will provide some further guidance in that area, particularly as it relates to coordinated policy across the GNWT. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Polakoff My clock shows that it’s after 2:00 p.m., so, recognizing the clock, I will now rise and report progress.
Can I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please, Mr. Abernethy.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 133-16(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates, 2011-2012, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
---Carried
Item 22, third reading of bills. Before we go on to orders of the day, I would like to thank all the Pages who have been working for us over the week and doing a great job.
---Applause
Orders of the day for Monday, February 21, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.:
Prayer
Ministers’ Statements
Members’ Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
Motion 36-16(5), Joe Greenland Centre
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Tabled Document 4-16(5), Executive Summary of the Report of the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project
Tabled Document 30-16(5), 2010 Review of Members’ Compensation and Benefits
Tabled Document 38-16(5), Supplementary Health Benefits - What We Heard
Tabled Document 62-16(5), Northern Voices, Northern Waters: NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
Tabled Document 75-16(5), Response to the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project on the Federal and Territorial Governments’ Interim Response to “Foundation for a Sustainable Northern Future”
Tabled Document 103-16(5), GNWT Contracts over $5,000 Report, Year Ending March 31, 2010
Tabled Document 133-16(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates, 2011-2012
Tabled Document 135-16(5), GNWT Response to CR 3-16(5): Report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act
Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act
Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act
Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Evidence Act
Minister’s Statement 65-16(5), Devolution Agreement-in-Principle, Impact on Land Claims and Protection of Aboriginal Rights
Minister’s Statement 88-16(5), Sessional Statement
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Monday, February 21, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 2:03 p.m.
