Debates of October 27, 2004 (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 315-15(3): Future Investments In Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the 10-year plan, it has been presented to committee. I have presented a briefing to committee on the 10-year plan and some of the initiatives that we’re looking at doing. Also, the whole idea of selling off these units is one of the ideas in the plan; replacing that with the revenue we get. At the present time, we receive almost $70 million a year from the Government of the Northwest Territories. That’s about seven percent of the total budget of this government. In order to meet that goal, we will have to lobby my colleagues on this side of the House to put more money into housing to ensure that we’re able to meet that goal. Right now, seven percent of the $70 million comes forward by way of a grant program through the Government of the Northwest Territories with regard to our operational costs for the Housing Corporation. In order to achieve that, we have to increase it.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. My question today is for the Minister of the Housing Corporation. One of the things that I’ve been addressing ever since I’ve been elected was in Fort Liard we had a huge mould problem and I was trying to get the government to come up with some kind of mould action plan. I was just wondering if the Minister can tell me to date what has occurred with respect to this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are taking this issue very seriously. Mould is a very big health problem that we see and it does have direct effects. I know this is more than just a housing problem; it’s also a health problem. We have hired an environmental company to look at the mould problem in the Fort Liard area and also look at a way that we can deal with that problem. We have put forward a report that we are looking at dealing with this problem with regard to Fort Liard. There is presently someone who has been hired who is doing a thorough review by way of a report to look at those units in Fort Liard and come forward with recommendations on how we’re going to replace that. We’re looking at coming forward during the March budget to ensure money is in the budget to deal with this problem next year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 316-15(3): Housing Health Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was just wondering if the Minister can assure at least the residents of Fort Liard that, yes, we are addressing the problem. I think environmental inspection is key, as well as -- I don’t know if I have the right Minister for this -- a lot of it is health. It’s becoming more and more of a health issue, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps the Minister can speak to whether that concern will be addressed, as well; like immediately. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 316-15(3): Housing Health Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have raised this with my colleagues on this side of the House to make them aware that the mould problem is a health problem and I think with the dollars that we do get from Ottawa with regard to health, this has to be considered as a health issue where it’s having an effect on people’s breathing problems, asthma and also probably with regard to the whole family. When you have overcrowding and mould, that’s a bad mix. I think it is definitely a housing problem. Also we have to work with the other colleagues on this side, especially the Minister of Health and Social Services. I have spoken with him on this and we are working in conjunction to ensure that we deal with this problem as a health issue, as well.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 316-15(3): Housing Health Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess another key component of constructing the houses is that there have to be adequate inspectors there, and that’s one of the things that occurred out of Fort Liard this summer. Repairs were happening, construction was happening, but the constituents are telling me they don’t see adequate inspectors coming to look at these homes to assure us and give us the confidence that the homes are being constructed and renovated to an acceptable standard. Just the presence of those inspectors alone will help the constituents there, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform me of the inspection program that goes along with house construction?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 316-15(3): Housing Health Issues

Well, like I said, Mr. Speaker, we have hired someone to look at this problem and also make recommendations back to us. One of the problems that has been pinpointed to us is the flood that happened in Fort Liard a number of years ago, during which these units were flooded. Because of that, the basements underneath these units were flooded with water, which got into the structure and that is one of the things we’re focusing on. I know I heard a couple of other concerns about people’s basements flooding and whatnot. Again, moisture can cause mould. I think it’s important to try to avoid those things in our construction habits. We are looking at bringing forward and reviewing a report from the consultant and making sure that we find recommendations to go forward on resolving this problem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 316-15(3): Housing Health Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was just wondering if the Minister can, for the record, tell me when the report will be completed. He mentioned it a couple of times during this question period, so I’ll be looking for an affirmed date of completion of that report and perhaps some costs associated with it. That would be of particular interest to myself and to the communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 316-15(3): Housing Health Issues

Mr. Speaker, I hope to have the report concluded before we go to Fort Liard. We are scheduled to go to Fort Liard the 4th and 5th of November. So at that time when we have our public meeting, we should be able to inform the residents in Fort Liard exactly how we’re going to deal with this problem and, at that time, present them with aspects of that report. So we should have that report and have a briefing for the community at that public meeting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is in line with all the other Members here on theme day for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I’m looking for a commitment from this Minister. Will this Minister develop a policy that will meet the existing standards based on accessible living for people with disabilities in social housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the Member raised this issue in the House before. We have completed our phase two report with regard to our needs survey. On page 7 of that report, it identifies that we do have 194 dwellings which have been modified for people with disabilities. So we do have that stock in house. Also, I’d just like to inform the Member that we also have programs for people in the private sector who can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to renovate their units to make them accessible for people with disabilities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate what the Minister is saying about 194 people in our housing. Mr. Speaker, what I’m looking for is a firm commitment on national guidelines, something that is clear cut. Can the Minister commit today that his department will create a policy, be it a booklet or whatever, on national standards and this can be applied to all of our social housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Mr. Speaker, at this time I can’t commit to that because I’m not aware of exactly what standard you’re talking about. I don’t believe that we do have programs and services to assist people with disabilities and ensure that we make them one of our high priorities when they come forward to access public housing. I cannot commit for the private sector or commit for any other agency that’s out there until we know exactly what the cost is of implementing this policy. I’m not aware of that policy, so I’ll have to look into it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will now be looking for the Minister to go over the top from whelming me to overwhelming me. Will the Minister commit that by the new year he will investigate and have a report back on developing a policy based on national standards for our social housing for people with disabilities in regard to accessibility issues? Will he commit to having that done by the new year so we have something once he’s had a chance to investigate it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Again, Mr. Speaker, that request is a handful in regard to being able to accomplish all those goals in the short time that you are requesting, but I think it is something that I will definitely promise the Member that I will look into and see exactly where we are with a policy for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and exactly what the cost to implement such a policy would be.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll say thank you, Mr. Minister, for that commitment. Mr. Speaker, I’ll ask for one more commitment from the Minister responsible for Housing in which he did refer to private industry being able to access a pot of funds or a pot of money in order to allow social housing to happen in private buildings. Will he commit to investigate the possibility of applying that policy to anyone who accesses this funding to have those folks in their buildings? Will he commit to seeing that that policy can apply to them as well as in the private industry? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 317-15(3): Housing Policy For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to the Member’s question, I do not know. We can’t dictate to the private sector how they run their business. Again, we are a segment of the corporation in the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide social housing in the Northwest Territories, but when you start dictating to the private sector in regard to how they can run their business, we have to ensure that we are following national building guidelines by ensuring that they are able to operate their business without us totally interfering in how they do that. So, again, I will look into it and report back to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is also to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I understand that in the year 2038 the federal government is hoping to get out of the housing business. In saying that, Mr. Speaker, the recent surveys done by the Housing Corporation indicate that 35 percent of houses in the Sahtu are in core need. Can the Minister tell the House and tell the people in the Sahtu what plans are in place to decrease the number from 35 to an acceptable number that would be sufficient to the Sahtu people? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 318-15(3): Reduction Of Housing Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe there are several ways that we can work with the communities and with the Sahtu region. That’s to devolve more authority to those communities through universal partnership agreements and also ensuring that the needs surveys that we develop are able to meet the most needs of the communities that are out there. Definitely the Sahtu is one of them. I think once we put forward our business plans for next year, we will be focusing on those needs surveys to ensure that we are able to accommodate the communities that are in most critical need. So we are working with communities and also developing our business plans coming forward next year.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 318-15(3): Reduction Of Housing Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I want to ask request the Minister what type of plans does his department have in terms of working with the federal government to ensure that maybe the federal government does need to phase out the funding for housing here, similar to what the government has looked at with the First Ministers’ health funding or the equalization payments? Surely this government can question the federal government in terms of looking at housing as a crucial and essential need for the Northwest Territories.

Surely, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 318-15(3): Reduction Of Housing Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important that we continue the dialogue from the first meeting held with the federal Minister. All the issues we raise here in the House he is aware of. He comes from a part of northern Ontario where they have a lot of housing issues; I think also because of being a former co-chair of the Liberal Caucus committee who looked at housing back in the '70s, along with the chair at the time who was Mr. Paul Martin. So because Paul Martin is now the Prime Minister of Canada and Mr. Fontana is now the Minister of Housing, hopefully the recommendations they put forward in that report, which talks about social housing programs, they’ll be open to bringing forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 318-15(3): Reduction Of Housing Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the previous Minister of the Housing Corporation did a tour of the Sahtu region, and one of the issues that came up for the people was the block housing and the ways that we could cut down costs. But it also makes sense to use our own resources and also use the opportunity to provide training for our people. Would the Minister commit to this House and to the people of the Sahtu that the previous commitments made by the Minister in terms of providing a package for log housing that could be suitable and affordable for people in the Sahtu region? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 318-15(3): Reduction Of Housing Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now there is a program that we offer through our housing programs. It’s basically put forward for the individual or the client to go out of their way to get their logs, bring their logs into the community, get it on the site, and then the government will allow them the resources to purchase the material to construct the unit. But it is up to the individual to have sweat equity going into this program. So they have to go out of their way to ensure they get the logs, they peel them, they bring them onto the site, and then the government will implement that program. So there is a program to do that already in place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 318-15(3): Reduction Of Housing Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. I want to take this a little step further. Would the Minister work with the Minister of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in devising a training program that would take out some of the young people to do a training program in terms of log building, putting a house together that would cut down costs and look at that as being a pilot project in the Sahtu region? So then we could have some long-term viability for the people in our region and the rest of the communities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.