Debates of February 24, 2005 (day 43)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I spoke today about the need for single-housing units in the Nahendeh region. If the Minister could explain to me how he intends to address the needs in the smaller communities in my riding -- like Jean Marie, Nahanni Butte, Trout Lake -- in terms of their single housing needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have completed two phases of a needs survey. Based on those needs surveys which identify where the majority of the core need is, we are now focusing our dollars and resources to where that highest need is. That’s how we basically make our decisions on how we allocate; based on the needs surveys that have been completed.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Minister details about how resources would be allocated and now, the next logical question, Mr. Speaker, is what is the placement plan or the long-term plan of placing these units in the communities? What resources have they got earmarked for the Nahendeh riding communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, it’s a process that we go through by way of a 10-year plan that we have developed. In that plan we are implementing the new needs surveys and also trying to ensure that we are able to accommodate communities that are in need, according to the survey. But more importantly, Mr. Speaker, it has to meet the budgetary criteria for the corporation. As we know, we are now phasing out social funding. Again, in order to meet that need, we have to work within the budget. So right now, Mr. Speaker, we have to allocate based on need, but also within the budget restraints we have.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I was just wondering if the Minister had enough time to review the federal budget, in terms of its allocation towards housing. Does it have implications for us and can we expect, in the foreseeable future, to address more of our housing needs in the regions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am working in conjunction with Bill Erasmus through the AFN allocation. As everybody knows, in the budget there was $5 billion allocated for aboriginal housing. We are working closely with Bill and the people he has, developing the proposal to take forth to the AFN meetings this summer; to look at a plan for the North for this funding so we can access funding for aboriginal communities on top of the funding we have through our core funding allocations.

Again, in the budget, that’s one area that we’re looking at. Also, there is work that is ongoing with the federal Minister of Housing to see about establishing a northern housing strategy that will be developed between the three territories to give to the federal Minister and make him aware these are the territorial positions going forward for housing for northern Canada. How we’ve been dealt with it in the past is, because of our small population, we’ve been allocated based on per capita. Out of a $350 million pot of funds, we received $400,000 over three years. We cannot meet our challenges with $400,000 over three years. So we have to change the system of how the dollars are allocated, working with our federal counterparts and our aboriginal partners, in order to meet the needs in aboriginal communities.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just to take it away from the national level again and just bring it back to, say, Jean Marie River, their need is four units. When can the Minister assure Jean Marie River that it’s not going to be 10 years from now, but three years from now or two years from now? Does the Minister have the ability to do that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 470-15(3): Housing Needs In Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the processes we’re working on is trying to ensure people have a better understanding of our programs and services with regard to the IHP programs, independent housing programs, our EDAP programs and other programs that are out there. I think that because of the needs surveys we have, I know it’s an issue here in the House, on how those dollars are allocated. But again, it’s an application-based program. We do have program dollars going into Jean Marie River this fiscal year. Also, looking at the needs surveys that we do have, we are looking at revising our needs based on those communities that have well in excess of 30 percent in core needs. Again, we’re focusing on those communities in need and improving the maintenance dollars we do have to improve on those units that are there, to improve the lives and housing in those communities. Thank you.