Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have community residents in my riding who are in a dire situation and seriously in need of assistance. A group of about 258 families, 800-plus residents, a number higher than the total residents in many NWT communities, live in an area which is essentially an accident waiting to happen; a potentially unsafe, unhealthy environment. I speak of the property owned by the Yellowknife Condominium Corporation No. 8, better known as Northland Trailer Park.
The sewer infrastructure that supplies these 258 homes is 40 years old and, by Canadian standards, should have been replaced 15 years ago. The replacement of these pipes must happen this year. Pipe failures have been occurring on a regular basis for at least 10 years and are now occurring more and more frequently. Just two weeks ago a section of sewer line which supplies 16 homes failed. They are now getting by with a temporary line until the land thaws in a few months and repairs can be made.
In 1990, when the condo was formed, NWT condominium legislation was out of date, weak, and ineffectual. The act did not protect condo owners, did not require either the seller or the buyer to have a reserve fund for large infrastructure replacements, and so none was established. It led to the situation that Condo Corp No. 8 is now in.
Many will say that the City of Yellowknife should take on this financial responsibility, but these pipes are not owned by the city. They are privately owned by the condo corporation. Condo owners can accept some financial responsibility, but the total replacement cost -- $15 million to $18 million -- is too cost prohibitive and totally unmanageable for these 258 homeowners. Who among us could afford an extra $500 per month for 15 years to pay for sewer pipes? Not me, and I imagine not many of you either. That’s what is facing these particular residents.
This area of Yellowknife, which is about 2 percent of our NWT population, really does need help. This really is an emergency situation for which the GNWT so far refuses to accept any responsibility. If it were any other NWT community in such dire straits, would our government continue to ignore the need?
Recently, as we discussed the Municipal and Community Affairs department budget, I asked if all NWT communities received water and sewer services funding. I quote the answer from Minister Robert C. McLeod in Hansard of February 15: “All communities but Yellowknife.” I replied to him that it didn’t seem very fair.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
The GNWT can correct this unfairness and assist Northland at the same time. We can redistribute the water and sewer funding to include the City of Yellowknife for the life of the replacement project, three to five years. That funding can be used to offset the $18 million project costs.
Northland owners are not looking for a free ride, just some funding help. Without that help these 258 families will in all likelihood walk away from their homes and at least half of them will leave the North because they have no place to live.
Low-cost housing is necessary in Yellowknife and is badly needed. I believe it’s incumbent on this government to provide the help necessary.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
