Debates of October 18, 2005 (day 12)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I was going to speak on the core housing need in the Tlicho region, and also for the North, since the topic happens to be the Housing Corp.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, it’s a real shocker that in this day and age there are many families in the Tlicho region, and I’m sure the rest of the Northwest Territories, that still get their water from the lake, and have outhouses in their backyards. Mr. Speaker, many of the residents have trouble accessing programs and services of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Can the Minister tell this Assembly how NWT residents living in horrendous conditions, reminiscent of the Third World, can access the programs and services provided through the NWT Housing Corporation? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know, we have concluded different needs surveys. We have been able to pinpoint a lot of these areas where we do have very low standards in regard to living conditions where people live. I think that whole thrust behind the reports that have come forward is we have identified some 20 communities that are in core need, and I think through those needs surveys we are able to identify those communities that need the resources. As a department, we are making sure that all the resources that we do have are going to those communities to get down those core needs numbers to ensure we bring people’s living standards up to a certain level.

Again, a lot of these programs are based on our capital budget. The $4 million that was addressed in this House in regard to the Northern Strategy is going to those 14 communities who are in that core needs category. As a government, we are limited on our resources, and I am working in conjunction with the federal Minister in regard to the $1.6 billion for housing. A lot of the emphasis for that money is going to be focused on aboriginal communities. I think that’s where the problem lies, is in those aboriginal communities.

Again, Mr. Speaker, we are working through our needs surveys, identifying the federal resources that are out there, and identifying those communities that we have identified to ensure we bring down those core needs so we can make a difference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with that in mind, can the Minister inform the Assembly how the corporation determines the allocation of repairs, renovations, new home construction funding, and whether access to adequate water, sewer and heating services is a primary consideration? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty, Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the programs that are provided through the Housing Corporation are application-based programs. We have worked out different pilot projects in different communities with the First Nations' governments so that they can work with their membership to make these improvements; but a lot of these programs are based on need; and we definitely try to focus on those people in those conditions that the Member mentions. Again, it’s important for the public to realize that you have to fill out an application for these programs, and I think it’s important that we give communities the power to identify these individuals and give them the resources to deal with these program responsibilities in those communities. So we are devolving those authorities to communities and making sure that they come forward. Again, as MLAs, you also have an important role to play by coming forward to myself as the Minister and making me aware of these conditions so we can, as a department, address them. I’m glad to say that I find an open door policy a lot better than trying to go through the system of the application, because a lot of people don’t realize they have been approved, but because of the construction season and materials getting in, it usually takes a year or two before they even see the project underway. Again, it’s a cooperative process. We all have to work together to find the solutions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to doing a survey of those households specifically without access to basic services, and develop a strategy to deal with this need based on core housing needs? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to doing another survey, we just completed two surveys. Our surveys are usually done in conjunction with Stats Canada, and we usually do it every two years. So we have done two surveys in the last four years. What I could do for the Members is pull the report identifying those people in your riding, so we can see exactly where they are and where the surveys have pinpointed the core problem areas. We can work with you to resolve that. I will commit to that for the Member.

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

Supplementary To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My next question is, when can the Minister commit to visiting the Tlicho region to address this serious issue? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 155-15(4): Access To Housing Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have had the chance to meet with the Tlicho leadership, and I have committed to them to do a tour of the Tlicho region with the Tlicho Government and local representatives of their government to ensure that we find a way to deal with housing in conjunction with each other. Also, going into each of the Tlicho communities, we are looking at possibly November or early December, whenever the time permits; but I have committed to the leadership, and to the Member I commit here today, that we are willing to go into the Tlicho communities in November.