Debates of October 17, 2006 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 110-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Premier for that. I would encourage him to continue to meet with the regional leaders because they are the leaders of all the regions of the NWT. I think it’s the only way we are going to be able to get some progress done on this.

With the naming of the new negotiator for Canada, are we starting…How far back are we starting? Are we starting from scratch, or has some of the work been carried forward from the negotiations with the previous government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 110-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of work done over the last 20 years. I think until a year ago, we had made a considerable amount of progress up to July 2005, in fact to the point where the aboriginal leaders were going to recommend or the negotiators were going to recommend to their leaders acceptance of an agreement-in-principle on devolution. That took us to the six issues. Mr. Speaker, I don’t think the federal government should start from a clean slate. I think there is a lot of work out there that’s been done and I think they should start with that. My recommendation to both Minister Prentice and to Mr. Andre is let’s start with those six outstanding issues and get them resolved and that will bring us very close to an agreement-in-principle. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 110-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a subject that we are starting to find quite frustrating and just keeps being put on the back burner. In response to another question from one of my colleagues, the Premier spoke about options. We may have other options. I would like to know what those options are. Do we have some drastic options for them to finally start paying attention to our demands? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 110-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Mr. Speaker, certainly lowering the flag would be an option. I think that one has been used already.

Mr. Speaker, I think the main option is we have to stay the course. There is a federal election coming soon, probably within the life of our government, and I think we get a very clear message that this is the main issue for us that the current situation is not sustainable. Mr. Speaker, I certainly welcome any advice from any Members if there are other things we can do, whether it’s turn the flag upside down or whatever it may be. My approach is that the federal government made a commitment to us. We give them time to deliver on that commitment. If they don’t within the next few months here, then we have to begin to take other actions. Mr. Speaker, we are coming up to an election. I think we have a window. Let’s use it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on a somewhat lighter note today, I have a question for the Minister of Transportation. I recently had occasion to be at the Yellowknife Airport waiting for someone to arrive and couldn’t help but notice these tall, bright, shiny signs that had "Minister" written on one and "Premier" on the other. I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation, in his very expensive expansion of $12 million at the Yellowknife Airport, did he take it upon himself to ensure that he and the Premier would secure free parking at the airport? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Boo!

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 111-15(5): Designated Parking Stalls At Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure which bright, shiny sign the Member is referring to. We have small, little signs…

---Laughter

…on a couple of parking stalls and one is for the Minister of Transportation and the other one is for the RCMP. We don’t have one for the Premier. We have two parking stalls that are dedicated, one for the government and one for the RCMP.

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

Supplementary To Question 111-15(5): Designated Parking Stalls At Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unless the head of the RCMP has been renamed the Premier, the sign on the parking stall says "Premier." I know how to read, and right beside it says “Minister.” As I was searching for a parking place in the overcrowded parking lot at the airport, I saw those two empty spots and it was very tempting to take one of those, but, being as I am not the Premier or the Minister, I thought I had better not. But there is designated parking and we pay for our parking here, we come to work every month, it comes off our paycheque if we want a parking spot and I want to know if the Premier and the Minister have free parking at the airport. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 111-15(5): Designated Parking Stalls At Yellowknife Airport

The Member is correct; the Minister does have a parking stall there. We do a lot of business in the airport. We are responsible for the airport. The Premier does not have a parking stall, unless he’s taken a nameplate and put it over the RCMP.

---Laughter

As far as I know, we'll have to go back and take a look, but as far as I know it's only the Minister of Transportation and the RCMP that have nameplates, along with rental vehicles and companies of that nature. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Time for question period has expired, however, I will allow the Member a supplementary. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 111-15(5): Designated Parking Stalls At Yellowknife Airport

Thank you. Now finding out the Premier doesn't know he had a parking stall, I won't have any guilt or hesitation to take that stall now when I go there. We could go for a drive, but it's there.

---Laughter

It says "Premier," it says "Minister," and if the travelling public is required to pay for parking at the airport and go through the parking booth, I would suggest it would be appropriate for the Minister and the Premier to do the same. So I would certainly encourage anybody that wants to go out. I could go take a picture for you, but we could just go for a drive. Will the Minister undertake to look into this and to clarify for this House what the provisions are for the Minister and the Premier at the airport? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 111-15(5): Designated Parking Stalls At Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, we'll have somebody go see if the signs have been changed, or, if I'm not correct, we will ensure that parking nameplates are in the proper places. The stall for the Minister is there because we do a lot of work and do a lot of business at the airport. If the travelling public spends as much time as I do there, maybe we'd have to take a look at that, but that's why we have a stall reserved for the Minister. We don't have one for the Premier; however, we do have one for the RCMP. We will go there and check to see if all the nameplates are in the proper places. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Time for oral questions has expired. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5 on the orders of the day.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to acknowledge and recognize Vital Manuel's parents, Thomas Manuel and Denise Manuel from Fort Good Hope. Thank you.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Lafferty on June 1, 2006, regarding public housing in Behchoko.

1.

What is the total number of public housing units in Behchoko, and what is the number of each type of unit?

There are 182 public housing units in Behchoko, three of which are not operational as they are beyond economic repair. The configuration and number of each is as follows:

1-bedroom units - 28 units

2-bedroom units - 56 units

3-bedroom units - 52 units

4-bedroom units - 22 units

5-bedroom units - 1 unit

Seniors' complex - 9 bedrooms managed by Health and Social Services

Senior bachelor units - 14 units

2.

How many of those units are occupied by:

a)

1-2 persons - 55 units

b)

3-4 persons - 55 units

c)

5-6 persons - 35 units

d)

7-8 persons - 5 units

e)

9 or more persons - 3 units

3.

What is the maximum number of persons occupying any one of those units?

At present, the maximum number of persons occupying any one unit is 10. The unit in question is a four-bedroom unit.

4.

How many of those units had a monthly rent, as of June 1, 2006?

As of April 1, 2006, LHOs are no longer responsible for assessing monthly rent. Tenants are charged the maximum unit rent for their unit. Through its Income Support Program, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment provides a subsidy to cover a percentage of the rent charged. The level of this subsidy is determined through income assessment.

The maximum rent charged for each unit size is as follows:

Bachelor unit

$776

1-bedroom unit

$903

2-bedroom unit

$1,157

3-bedroom unit

$1,411

4-bedroom unit

$1,665

5-bedroom unit

$1,919

5.

What is the highest rent being paid?

The highest rent being charged for any unit in Behchoko is $1,919.00 for a five-bedroom unit, which is the maximum unit rent for a unit of that size.

6.

How many of those units have rent arrears owing by the current tenants of:

a)

Under $100

43 tenants

b)

$101 - $1,000

17 tenants

c)

$1.001 - $5,000

26 tenants

d)

$5,001 - $10,000

19 tenants

e)

$10,001 - $15,000

12 tenants

f)

$15,001 - $20,000

11 tenants

g)

$20,000 - $30,000

15 tenants

h)

$30,000 - $40,000

1 tenant

i)

$40,000 - $50,000

6 tenants

j)

$50,000 and over

4 tenants

7.

What is the maximum amount of arrears owed on any one of those units?

The maximum amount of arrears owed by any individual or family is $76,413.00 as of June 7, 2006.

8.

Of all the units on which arrears are owed, what are the average and median amounts of the arrears?

The average amount of arrears in Behchoko is $11,321.43. The median arrear amount is $5,958.

9.

How many of those units have had major repairs within the past five years, and what was the nature of those repairs?

Maintenance and improvement projects have been completed on 28 units in Behchoko within the last three years. Projects completed include improvements and repairs to plumbing, foundations, flooring, water and sewer, roofing, windows, appliances and painting.

10.

As of June 1, 2006, of the current public housing tenants, how many have had their most recent household income assessment within?

Prior to the transfer of responsibility for income assessment to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on April 1, 20906, officials at the Rae-Edzo Housing Authority had completed 130 income assessments in the past year. Twenty-one public housing tenants had no income assessment completed between April 1, 2005, and April 1, 2006.

11.

For each type of unit, what are the minimum, maximum, and average buy-out costs?

There is no minimum or maximum cost to purchase a public housing unit. The cost to purchase is determined based on an appraisal of the value of the unit. Interested purchases who qualify for Housing Corporation homeownership programs will receive assistance based on their income level.

12.

As of June 1, 20906, how many of those public housing units had received at least one visit from a tenant relations officer within the last year?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight has reviewed Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006, and Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2006-2007, and wishes to report that Bills 8 and 10 are now ready for Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development as reviewed Bill 11, Tourism Act, and wishes to report that Bill 11 is now ready for Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 6, Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act; Bill 7, Pharmacy Act; and Bill 12, Garnishment Remedies Statutes Amendment Act, and wishes to report that Bills 6, 7 and 12 are now ready for Committee of the Whole, as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a package of documents, in chronological order, on the Premier's comments on the civil suit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.