Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, within the Business Incentive Policy that the GNWT utilizes, northern manufacturers must not be more than 25 per cent of the cost for the same purchase to be purchased down south. The modular homes actually came in more than that. The difference was actually more like 30 per cent, so there is a cost savings. We have 800 people on our waiting list for housing, so we have to be conscious of where the money goes. The Housing Corporation though, in all honesty, are still using our community members to do the repairs, so we're not forgetting about them. And again, I will remind you that it was a northern contractor that got the contract to purchase the modular homes.
I don't think the Minister realizes the amount of money that's not staying in the community. Mr. Speaker, we're talking in the neighbourhood of at least $100,000 worth of employment that's being taken away from our communities. Usually when we have contracts like this we have, like, five people that are working in the community. Right now, the Minister is talking about one person that's probably needed five years down the road. What is the department’s plan, in the future, for our communities?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Housing Corporation is actually looking at bringing in a lot more houses within the communities. We're really focusing on single people and couples for a little while because almost 70 per cent of the people on our waiting list fall within that category. We're also negotiating with the federal government, so I'll be meeting with them early next month to see what they're going to bring within their social infrastructure monies. As well, we are guided by the Business Incentive Policy, which all Members can actually challenge and actually look at and make amendments if they would like to. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Final supplementary. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned about multiplex units. I hope they don't plan to ship these in as well. We have a lot of positive multiplex units that have been built in the communities over the last few years in our last government. I hope that the department stays on course on those multiplex units. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. I didn't really hear a question there. However, I'll allow the Minister a response.
Yes, actually the department does recognize that the multiplexes are the most energy-efficient way to provide housing, so we are focusing on the multiplex units within communities.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for housing. The constituents in Nunakput raised the issue of the lack of housing which is linked to homelessness for many young adults who are single and also raising families. My question is: how is the NWT Housing Corporation addressing homelessness in Nunakput?
Masi. Minister responsible for Addressing Homelessness.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Homelessness is a challenge throughout the Northwest Territories and it's not being addressed by just the Housing Corporation. It's being addressed by the GNWT as a whole. Like I had spoken earlier, the ministers will be meeting soon. I will be meeting with the Standing Committee on Social Development, I believe that's right. There are options that currently are in effect, the people can access the Homeless Assistance Fund to pay arrears, if that's the case. We provide shelter enhancement funding that is accessible to any community. Right now, within Nunakput specifically, we're working with the hamlet of Paulatuk, the Hamlet of Sachs Harbour, and the Ulukhaktok, excuse my pronunciation, Community Corporation, which are accessing homeless funds to provide incentives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Are there any specific projects the NWT Housing Corporation is supporting in Nunakput?
As stated earlier, there are the three communities that work in partnership already. As well, we're in preliminary discussions with, and my pronunciation is going to slaughter me here, Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter in Tuktoyaktuk about the Shelter Enhancement Fund for 2016 and 2017.
My question is: would the NWT Housing Corporation consider building single units in Nunakput communities?
The Housing Corporation will conduct a review of the need for single housing in our rural and remote communities, including the communities of Nunakput. The information will be used towards the development of a capital plan that could be implemented providing the resources are available.
Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput.
Mr. Speaker, my question is: given the cost in transportation in the Northwest Territories and especially in Nunakput where transportation is the furthest in the North, I'm asking the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation if they would consider building modular homes in the community due to the window of opportunity to transport and construct in the fall season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The NWT Housing Corporation is interested in looking at all different designs of homes, and we do traditionally put them out to tender. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recent years, the NWT has missed out on mining exploration to the benefit of our sister territories. The industry itself has identified a lack of infrastructure as an issue there. I'm pleased to see that the government's prioritizing road access to some of these areas. Will the Minister of Transportation answer what actions have been taken to improve road access to the Slave Geological Province?
Masi. Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of Northwest Territories views strategic investment in northern infrastructure as essential in capturing economic and mobility opportunities to benefit Northerners and all Canadians. The department is currently assessing economic and feasibility of a P3 potential of building an all-weather road to the Slave Geological Province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This could be a significant nation-building project if the connection was made all the way to the Arctic Coast in Nunavut. Has the Government of Nunavut been brought into this discussion about leveraging resources to help finance the construction of the road?
The opportunities, if they're there, through the Federal Build Infrastructure Fund and in conversations with the Government of Nunavut we would certainly have a look there.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my opening remarks, I had mentioned the Sahtu region as a huge contributing region untapped, but yet recognized with its resources. In the areas of resource development and pristine attractions for tourism, which we all know is a huge economy by itself and bringing huge benefits to our territory. To create a pristine environment in our area, it's within our Sahtu Land Claim to have the Canol Trail cleaned up and turned over to a heritage trail, which would inject attractions to the tourist community. My question today, is to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, to see if that is still a high priority. And if it’s a high priority, I’ll get back to my second question on the supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
---Laughter
Masi. There's almost two questions there. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Canol Trail cleanup has been in the works for quite a few years now, as part of the Sahtu Land Claim. Those provisions provide for a Canol Trail park. Progress has been slow because of the fact that the land still has to be cleaned up by the Government of Canada before it will be transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories so that it can be turned into a park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My second question to the Minister is: would he be open to an unsolicited proposal from local stakeholders on the concept of a one-stop shop to clean up this 222-mile section?
We have worked with the Sahtu to do exactly that, whereby we have facilitated the federal government paying for cleanup of the parts of the Canol Trail and to actually provide funding for groups in the Sahtu to participate in the cleanup, and we would be prepared to do that once again, using federal funding.
Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The GNWT filed a letter of support earlier this week on February 15, 2016 with the National Energy Board and the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations for a seven-year extension to the certificate for a Mackenzie gas pipeline. Can the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment confirm that there was no consultation with Regular Members on the GNWT position? Thank you.
Masi, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can confirm that the Mackenzie Valley Natural Gas Project has been a priority for not only the 16th Legislative Assembly, but the 17th Legislative Assembly. With regards to the Mackenzie Gas Project Request for Extension to Sunset Clause, we do have a protocol for priorities that transcend from one Legislative Assembly to another, and we followed that protocol. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I do not wish to debate the merits of whether the certificate should be extended or not. The issue is how and when Cabinet will consult with Regular Members before major decisions are made. Can the Minister explain to this House how and when the Executive intends to consult Regular Members on matters before decisions are made?
We have a process convention that has been agreed to on how we work and interact with the standing committees, and we would be very pleased to review and update it with the standing committees.
Now that the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has intervened to support the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Natural Gas Project certificate with the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations, how does the Minister see himself carrying out his regulatory role so as to avoid an apprehension of bias?
I will avoid that by having another minister assume the responsibilities as the oil and gas regulator. It has been assumed by Minister Louis Sebert.
Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Frame Lake.
That’s a piece of good news. I find out about it in the House, but thank you. Will the Minister commit to a public review of the structure and reporting relationships of the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations so as to avoid a conflict of interest between GNWT roles as intervener and regulator?
I have always said that with devolution, we will devolve and evolve, and we will do exactly that.
Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. As many of us know, mining is the anchor of the NWT's economy. Mineral exploration is at a historic low. All diamond mines are rescheduled to close within 10 years. What is the GNWT doing to encourage mineral exploration and facilitate the development of new mines? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As everyone knows, mines are funded by exploration activities, so exploration is essential if we are to find new and bigger mines in our territory. We need to remember that our four diamond mines in the Northwest Territories were all found by junior explorers. In the economic downturn of 2008, which we never recovered from, we had in the neighbourhood of $180 million a year spent on mineral exploration. This past year, we're probably down around 20 million, maybe $28 million, and it's largely a function of the low commodity prices. The Member knows mining is the largest part of our economy. It represents about 40 per cent of our economy. We have a Mineral Development Strategy, and we're working very closely with the Chamber of Mines and the mining industry to improve the environment, to deal with the regulatory process, while providing for balanced development by protecting the land and resources as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
