Debates of May 14, 2007 (day 6)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Housing Corporation regarding the seniors' home in Behchoko. This building has been there since 1986. It’s been there for many years now. When I went to visit there yesterday, the ceiling was dripping with water. You can see the water dripping onto the floors. I would like to know when they may replace the building. I asked this question before. I’m going to ask…(Translation ends)

In March, I spoke to the honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation regarding this government’s commitment to repair or replace Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home in Behchoko. Further to this, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister what progress has been made since that session and the subsequent visits by the president of the Housing Corporation to the community of Behchoko. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Housing Corporation has been working on this issue for some time. We have a consultant who did a report. The Housing Corporation received a copy of that report on April 27th and are now taking a look at it. As I had said to the Member before, we plan to have the final report available by June. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in March, the Minister committed to working on seven major areas of deficiencies as a short-term solution that were found in the seniors’ home. Has the department or can the Minister provide an update on the report? I realize it’s coming in June, but what has the department done to accomplish the deficiencies? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Mr. Speaker, the report deals primarily with those seven areas of deficiencies. The recommendation in the draft report is that the building be replaced, but that in the meantime we do some renovation to last us five years until we get a new building. There’s concerns with the building in the areas -- I won’t go through all those seven areas -- but there’s also concerns with the site that it allows for too much accumulation of water and is creating problems for us. So, Mr. Speaker, the draft recommendation right now is to do the repairs. We will do them by the Housing Corporation and then plan for a replacement facility. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was a short-term solution that we’ve just highlighted. Just moving on to a long-term solution, also in March the Minister expressed his concerns over the condition of the facility, as he just touched on as well, and expressed the need for immediate action on the situation. The long-term solution is to be found in a report to be conducted in a few months. In the past few months. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister please disclose the results and long-term solutions to be taken as a result of this report? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are going to go ahead with the short-term repairs to deal with the interim problems. Those are things ranging from water under the crawlspace, there was a sewage spill, there’s mould in some units, the roof leaking, the deterioration on some of the plumbing lines. Those are things that we’re going to repair in the short term. But right now, the consultant’s recommendation is to replace the facility, and our people in the Housing Corporation agree with that recommendation. So I fully expect that when the final report comes out, that will be the direction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m glad the department’s really focussing on the seniors’ home that’s in poor condition right now and the plan to replace that building within five years. But at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the immediate plan is a short-term plan. When is the repair going to be initiated? Because we’re dealing with this issue now. I’m getting so many calls from the communities, especially the elders. When is it going to be happening? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 72-15(6): Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home In Behchoko

Mr. Speaker, I don’t have a fixed schedule for it, but I can assure the Member that this summer we will do the essential repairs. I don’t know the exact schedule of which will be done where, but some things like leaking roofs and standing water under the buildings, those are things we have to fix right away. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.