I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation some questions, most particularly on the appeal system. Also, I would just like to thank him for coming to the Nahendeh riding. We did visit a few communities there, and we look forward to a return visit.
The continued concern that I get on a daily basis when I travel in my communities is basically appealing decisions by the housing corporation board. They are wanting to follow up on issues. I’m finding that an appeals system — and it’s something that I’ve been pursuing for some time now — if it were in place, would address a lot of these concerns from constituents and concerned citizens.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commit publicly that as the Minister responsible for the Housing Corp., we’d like to continue to conclude our trip, which was interrupted. I’ll commit to that.
The issue of the appeal process, as well, the Member has raised before, and it’s a good one. It’s one the Housing Corporation has put on their work list, and we are looking forward to being able to come back to committee, and to this Assembly, in the fall. We’ve indicated, as well, to the Member that we’d like to be able to look at processes that are already there that we could either pattern ourselves after, such as the Student Financial Assistance appeals or the Income Support appeals process. We recognize that the Member has raised a very good point, and it would give another avenue for due process for clients.
Quite often it’s simple things that constituents are appealing to the Housing Corporation and the managers, but once that manager makes a decision, he’s not going to change his mind. So they’re coming to me, as their MLA, to say, “There’s a glitch here in the system. I’ve been asking about this renovation,” or “It needs repairs.” Often it’s simple things, and having an outlet for constituents to address those concerns is very important.
I’d just like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, what type of appeal system does he foresee being implemented?
Mr. Speaker, as I’ve indicated, we’re going to look closely at the appeal system that is now there for Income Support — there’s another one for Student Financial Assistance — and we’re going to do a jurisdictional check as well. The intent is not to try to recreate the wheel or reinvent the wheel, so we’re going to take the best from the systems that are there. We’ll be sharing that work with the Members and the committees.
Once again if the Minister can let me know, and let the House know: how soon will they begin this work, and when can they implement such a system?
Mr. Speaker, as we conclude this budget process and as we move forward, that item has already been identified. As the business is laid out and the work is laid out for the coming year, that’s one of the items we intend to be able to bring back in the fall, with a clear outline of what’s being recommended.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Will the process include any public consultations? Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, the intent will be to come up with what’s being recommended, walk it through, give the committee and the Members a chance to look at it, and in due course, subsequent to that, of course, we’ll be looking to respond to the committee’s feedback. As we move forward, that type of communication and consultation process will be built in.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
