Debates of May 31, 2006 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of NWT Housing Corporation. We are in year one of a three-year plan to accommodate or build, construct 530 units, whether they’re multi-plex or homeownership, across the Northwest Territories. Today I spoke in my Member’s statement about the need for gravel in communities without year-round access for a source of ground material. I’d like to ask the Honourable David Krutko, the Minister of NWT Housing Corporation, can the Minister tell me whether access and stockpiling of granular material for the construction of building lots is part of the Affordable Housing Strategy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Minister of Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 15-15(5): Infrastructure Needs Of Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, we are working with Municipal and Community Affairs. We have a planning team in place to look at what lots are available, what granular materials are there, and what has to be delivered. So we are working that into our transitional plan. For this year we have put out tenders, but most of those tenders that have been put are on the basis we do have lands available in those communities. Again, through the transitional plan that we’re working on with MACA, we will be able to have a better idea what lands are available and what granular materials we’re going to need over the next couple of years. We are working with the communities such as Tuktoyaktuk and we will have to identify those ground reserves and have to get them brought into the community over the winter road or make sure it’s hauled during the winter season. So we are building that into the transitional plan to be able to deliver the housing that’s going to be needed over the next three years. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 15-15(5): Infrastructure Needs Of Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question for the Minister is, like I said earlier, we’re probably going to get 180-plus coming this year. I’m just wondering, those communities without lot development are in, if they can’t find suitable lands, say, with claimant groups, what will happen to those units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 15-15(5): Infrastructure Needs Of Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, we are hoping to meet the plan that is laid out, but in some situations where we either can’t get the lots or the adequate gravel resources to put on these lots to build on, we will possibly carry that project over to the following year or identify a community where the materials could go. So we are going to be able to have a better handle on it once we complete the transitional plan that we’re working with MACA on. We’re working with communities. At that point, we will be able to bring that forward. So once the plan is prepared and ready to go, I’m hoping to have that ready to bring back to committee and to Members of this House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 15-15(5): Infrastructure Needs Of Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister on whether, like I said, we’re on year one of construction of units, so I’m just wondering, can the Minister indicate to me whether, say in Tuktoyaktuk that the gravel that they need to build these units is available right now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 15-15(5): Infrastructure Needs Of Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the situation in Tuk this year we are going to be able to deliver the program because the units are going into Tuk. I believe we have one supported-lease program, which is a single-dwelling house, but the other unit is an eight-plex unit. But we are going to build that on existing property that’s owned by the Housing Corporation and basically move the units that are presently condemned or not being used. So we will build on an existing site already in Tuk. Thank you.