Debates of June 7, 2006 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 81-15(5): Seniors’ Public Housing Initiative

Mr. Speaker, again, Mr. Speaker, we have not made a decision to basically have seniors in public housing pay rent at this time. But the reason I’m saying at this time is because presently we are doing a review in regards to the income security review that’s going on in the programs we have in the Northwest Territories. Right now there’s about $100 million that’s being given out by way of some subsidy or another. Again, right now those dollars are being allocated to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in which we’re going to ensure that we have a system in place that is fair to all residents of the Northwest Territories, from people who live in social housing to people who are in their own private residence. We are going to be doing that through the social review or income social review that’s taking place. So again, the review is taking place, we are informing our residents and, more importantly, that there has been no decision to change the policy for seniors who live in public housing to pay rent. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just in follow-up to the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, I had a couple of questions that flow from the questions that I asked before. So when the Minister says that the social housing need is there in Hay River for seniors, is he effectively talking about the replacement of the Riverview Lodge, which now accommodates I believe 12 or 14 seniors who are in social seniors' housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Yes, Mr. Speaker. We are in the process of having to do a major retrofit of that facility within the next couple years. Because of that, we will have to basically relocate those residents and also ensure that we have enough housing facilities for seniors in Hay River going forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, who is going to own this social housing facility for seniors, either at the outset of this RFP or at the conclusion or at the end of a period of time? Who is the owner? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, we are hoping that at some point in time it will be owned and managed by the Seniors' Society in Hay River, but, again, we are working in conjunction with the Housing Corporation and the Seniors' Society to basically work out the arrangement of exactly who will take ownership of this facility once we basically have made a decision on what type of facility we’re looking at. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From that answer it sounds like we haven’t decided what type of facility we’re at, so I’d like to know where we’re at in terms of the RFP. How far away are we on the RFP? And the other thing is, how can you have a transparent, competitive process that the Minister is talking about in regard to the RFP if he already knows that the seniors are going to own the facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, we are in the process of having three agencies putting money into this facility. We have basically CMHC, ourselves, and also the Seniors’ Society in Hay River. They are also going to be contributing to this project. So with the three organizations that are going to be contributing, at the end of the day we have to determine exactly how much investment would each group make, and also when those investments will either be written off over a period of time or basically that we'll be able to hand that asset over to an agency or organization in Hay River. It’s either going to be the Seniors’ Society, it’s going to be the Hay River Housing Authority, or it will be the Housing Corporation. But again, we have to determine exactly the amount of investment that each group are going to make and also exactly how long that investment will be carried on the books and written off over a period of time and then be sure what happens to the asset after that process takes place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Time for oral questions has expired; however, I will allow the Member her final supplementary. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would then ask the Minister again, where are you at in the RFP process? How many units are you going to RFP for? Where are you at on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 82-15(5): Seniors’ Housing In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, we are presently at the process of developing the request for proposal and when I have that, I will give it to the Member, inform the Member from Hay River exactly where we’re at with this, and also make sure you’re fully briefed on exactly where this project is going and also how we’re proceeding forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources:

Would the Minister supply a status report on the GNWT’s responsibilities and progress in finalizing the remediation plans for Con and Giant gold mines?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to the opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for investment, tourism, industry, Mr. Bell.

That’s just fine, Mr. Speaker. That’ll do.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled NWT Arts Strategy Progress Report as of March 31, 2006. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have three documents for tabling today.

Thank you, everyone. I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order and what is the wish of committee, Mr. Menicoche?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2006-2007, as well as Committee Report 4-15(5).

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. We will do so after a short recess. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Good afternoon. We will now reconvene Committee of the Whole. We are dealing right now with page 27, Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2006-2007. At this time, I would like to ask the Minister if he wishes to bring in witnesses.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort in the witnesses.

Mr. Minister, introduce your witness, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Joining me at the table here is the secretary to the FMB, Mr. Mark Cleveland.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We are on page 27 of Bill 2, Education, Culture and Employment, capital investment expenditures. Yesterday we left off on advanced education and careers, not previously authorized, $4.867 million. Mrs. Groenewegen.