Debates of October 19, 2017 (day 3)

Date
October
19
2017
Session
18th Assembly, 3rd Session
Day
3
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Blake, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Julie Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. Wally Schumann, Hon. Louis Sebert, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne
Topics
Statements

Question 34-18(3): Modular Public Housing Units

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have few more questions for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation about the modular duplexes. Can she say who is going to build the remainder of this order that Concept Energy Services started? Who is going to fill the rest of this order and over what period of time? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

There are a couple questions there, Minister. Minister of NWT Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to start by actually addressing the question. I am actually glad the honourable Member asked this question. Earlier with her questions, I had promised to give her a contract. I have since learned that, actually, I may not be able to give her the full contract because of the Privacy Act. I will be able to provide her with the information that is on the normal procurement site, but not the whole contract. I just want to apologize for any misunderstanding that I may have given before. In answer to the contract that is being done now, I can state that the tender to complete the units in Ulukhaktok is out now. If they are not out now, they will be within the next week or two. Then the remaining units, we are still looking at our options to determine what we will do with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the clarification and I look forward to the more general information. Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, there are 11 units outstanding, and those units are not going to be built by Concept Energy Services. What are the options for completing these remaining units?

There are many options that we can do at this point. We are looking at them. We can either work with supporting Concept Energy to do them. There are a variety of options. We can put them out to public tender. We can look at negotiated contracts within communities. There is a whole gamut of different options that we can consider. Again, my priority is getting these homes into communities, and we will be looking at the ways we can expedite that in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Can the Minister say when a decision will be made on one of these options?

Yes. We are currently in the process of reviewing all of the options at this point. I know that, within the next two weeks, we will have defined which way or path we are going forward.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was also a contract with Energy Wall in Yellowknife to do one of the standalone two-bedroom units. Can the Minister say whether this unit has been completed? Thank you.

I am really glad that question came up because it is important to note that, although we have had some glitches with our manufacturing strategy for modular units, Energy Wall in Yellowknife did complete a successful unit and has received another contract, actually. We are looking forward to working with all northern business in the provision of northern homes for northern people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.