Debates of August 21, 2007 (day 14)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I use my Member’s statement to talk about some of the housing delivery issues and how the delivery of the housing pertains to this government’s new approach to program delivery, especially with the new income security model.

Mr. Speaker, the income security model has clearly stated that monitoring, evaluation and reporting are vital operational elements in order for this program to be successful and is based on the best available data, evidence and analysis of program recipients. I can only hope that this accountability process is diligently enforced and acted upon should there be changes required for future delivery and program success. Just as important, Mr. Speaker, the delivery of our social housing by our LHOs should also be diligently monitored, evaluated and reported by the NWT Housing Corporation’s regional offices to ensure fairness of delivery and transparency of spending our public dollars on social housing that will ensure that those most in need of social housing can receive assistance as soon as possible.

I can easily point out many situations in many communities, Mr. Speaker, especially here in Yellowknife and all of the other smaller communities, where LHOs continue to provide social housing to clients who are not in need. Many public housing clients have new vehicles, new boats, quads, skidoos and RVs parked around their social housing units and have never provided the LHOs with accurate information on the present circumstances related to their income or options that may be available to them through family support networks. This is the monitoring I am talking about, Mr. Speaker. This government has to regain responsibility of our public dollars we provide to our LHOs to operate the public housing sector of our society so that we do not see more families, like the mother of six camping at Fred Henne Park, who are in dire need of social housing left out in the cold, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause