Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I made a Member’s statement on the Housing Needs Survey. I'd like to ask the Minister some follow-up questions. Yesterday I indicated the last survey I had was 2009, but it's actually 2014. There was an update done. The NWT Bureau of Statistics has worked with the NWT Housing Corporation to do a survey on housing. This survey began decades ago, and it's done approximately every five years, most recently in 2014. The survey reports on nationally acceptable indicators such as suitability, adequacy, and affordability. This is how they determine the core need. I'd like to ask the Minister if the Housing Corporation is continuing collecting information in this manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the NWT Housing Corporation does use the Bureau of Statistics to provide survey information every five years, and we will continue to do so. Thank you.
I was wondering if the Minister is contemplating collecting additional data in a different way in order to supplement the needs survey for future development of programs.
Yes, I really took heed of the 18th Legislative Assembly’s priority about wanting change within the government, and to be as transparent and as inclusive with the public as possible. The needs surveys that are provided every five years does give us the basic information, but we're actually looking for more information: a breakdown by community on what the people using the community -- the chiefs, the people, the LHOs, et cetera -- would like to see, and programs to be maintained, to be sustained, and to be expanded upon.
When the Minister reaches out to the communities and gets community input on what they see as key in their communities for housing programs, how quickly, after that, then, can the Minister make changes to programs so that communities can take advantage of the programs, say, this coming summer?
In all honesty, it is a question that I probably cannot answer. We are waiting to find out the negotiations that will be happening this coming week, actually, in Ottawa, with the Housing Minister and the definition of the budget coming down from the federal government. Once we get that funding and we know exactly what we're dealing with, or lack of what we're dealing with, then we will be able to develop a plan and start implementing program changes or upgrades.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
So I take it that if we don't get any money from Ottawa there will be no changes; that's not too good. Will the Minister take a serious look at the sale of public housing as a reduction in core need in the small communities? Thank you.
As stated earlier, my goal is to ask the communities what they want in each community. It's not up to me. If I'm doing the process according to accreditation standards and best practices, it's not up to me to define what the community needs. It's for the community to define what they want. We will be making choices whether the federal government gives us extra money or does not. We will be trying to base the Housing Corporation’s programs on what the communities need individually. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
