Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to some of the questions that I had the other day for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, he noted that the current Riverview Lodge seniors' complex in Hay River will be rebuilt at a different location, and I just have some follow-up questions about that. The Minister mentioned that it would be in the next few years. Could he provide us with some details about when construction is expected to start and, hopefully, be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the questions that the Member had previously asked, I had mentioned that we do know that the building is now over 40 years old. It is something that we are going to be looking at, obviously, considering replacing within the next five years. We will be consulting with the community, obviously, the stakeholders that are in the community of Hay River, on how to address this.
As Members know, I did table a Seniors Planning Study during this session, ensuring that options are out there in terms of what kind of a building we will be constructing in the community of Hay River. We are also working with the Town of Hay River on how we can move forward with the community housing plans, something that I have said over and over in this House. As the project progresses, I will keep both Members from Hay River apprised of the work and the progress moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for the many answers that he gave. The current lot that the Riverview Lodge sits on is a beautiful piece of property. It's right downtown. It's right on the river. Does the Minister have an idea yet of what is planned for that piece of property after the new lodge is built?
As the Member has mentioned, whether it was in committee or it was just discussions that we have had together, the existing lot will be used for future development by the NWT Housing Corporation. We are also looking at assessing land availability options to support its future capital planning requirements through the NWT Housing Corporation, and as I have mentioned to the Member, we are working with the Town of Hay River and encouraging that discussion to keep going, to see how we can address some of the housing needs and concerns with the Town of Hay River.
I was at a meeting in Hay River a while back, and it was at the Whispering Willows, which is sort of a seniors housing unit. Officials from the Housing Corporation showed up to talk about the survey that they did, the seniors housing survey, and it was a great meeting. They solicited a lot of feedback. There was great community engagement, and I appreciate that. I was wondering: before this unit is built or even designed, would the Minister commit to engaging, again, with the Seniors' Society on the design of the building, the amenities in the building, as well as the location of the building, because, like I said, right now it is right downtown, and when you are older and you maybe can't drive anymore, it's great to be right across from the drugstore, right across the street from the arena. You are close to everyone, and you can walk everywhere, and I know a lot of people appreciate it. So will the Minister commit to consulting about the design and the location of the building?
Yes, we will be looking at engaging with the relevant stakeholders in a project such as this. As I mentioned with the community housing plans, we will want to be engaging with all of the stakeholders in the Town of Hay River, but also having that discussion with the municipality in terms of what lots are available, what land is available. As they become available to the municipality, we will be looking at creating a better partnership in addressing the housing needs in the municipality of Hay River. So, yes, we will be engaging with the stakeholders.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
I sense it is still early days on this project and that there are not a lot of details hammered out, but I appreciate the Minister's answers. Now, this is something I talk about all the time in this House. It's about the need for more skilled labour in the territory and how we need to start utilizing all of our infrastructure projects to help develop skilled labour. Could the Minister talk about the plans, how this project will be used, to do just that in terms of training, apprenticing, and how he is going to connect with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to ensure that all of that happens?
First of all, we always use an open and fair, transparent public procurement process. When we work with our contractors, we want to make sure that they are meeting the needs of Northerners and ensure that they meet their contract obligations by using local and northern labour as well as businesses. I will be working with the Department of ECE to look at how we can address the apprentices. Not only just in Hay River, but right across the Northwest Territories, in terms of the community housing plans that I have discussed, it is something that we are striving for, to get one in each of the communities across the Northwest Territories. I am sure that apprentices, training, and development will be something that is going to be on their priorities, as well. I appreciate the Member bringing up the questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
