Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

June
2
2006
Day
4
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 3: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act
Bill 4: An Act To Amend The Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Territorial Parks Act
Committee Motion 1-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Including Systemic Remedies In Human Rights Act, Carried
Committee Motion 10-15(5): Recommendation To Consult With Information And Privacy Commissioner Before Moving Public Registries Online, Carried
Committee Motion 11-15(5): Recommendation To Set Standards For Submissions To Information And Privacy Commissioner And Provide Leadership To Public Bodies, Carried
Committee Motion 12-15(5): Recommendation To Update Schedule 'A' To ATIPP Regulations Annually, Carried
Committee Motion 13-15(5): Recommendation To Keep Online Director Of ATIPP Coordinators Current And Provide Link To Directory On Legislative Assembly Website, Carried
Committee Motion 14-15(5): Recommendation That GNWT Public Bodies Consult With Commissioner To Identify Potential Privacy Issues In Early Stages Of Projects, Carried
Committee Motion 15-15(5): Recommendation To Evaluate Capacity To Respond To Access To Information Requests, Carried
Committee Motion 16-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried
Committee Motion 2-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Amending Human Rights Act To Prohibit Discrimination, Carried
Committee Motion 3-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried
Committee Motion 4-15(5): Recommendation To Make Public Statements Supporting Principles Of ATIPP Legislation, Carried
Committee Motion 5-15(5): Recommendation To Make Basic Records Management And ATIPP Training Mandatory For Chairs And Executive Directors Of GNWT Boards And Agencies, Carried
Committee Motion 6-15(5): Recommendation To Bring Forward Plan For Developing And Implementing Municipal Information And Privacy Legislation For Consideration By 16th Assembly, Carried
Committee Motion 7-15(5): Recommendation To Review Effectiveness Of PIPEDA And Need For Legislation On Private Sector Use Of Personal Information, Carried
Committee Motion 8-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Access And Privacy Issues Are Considered In Devolution And Self-Government Negotiations, Carried
Committee Motion 9-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Adequate Measures Are In Place To Monitor And Enforce Contractors' Compliance Against Disclosure Of Personal Information, Carried
Member’s Statement On Concerns With GNWT Human Resource Service Levels
Member’s Statement On Condolences To The Families Of Richard Apples And Joe Migwi
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Fort Providence Graduates
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nahendeh Graduates
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nunakput Graduates
Member’s Statement On Consideration For “Safer Communities” Legislation
Member’s Statement On Due Diligence For New Housing Proposals
Member’s Statement On Need For More Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Member’s Statement On Over-Expenditures And Delays To Capital Projects
Member’s Statement On Proactive Actions Required By Government To Regain Public Trust
Member’s Statement On Process Issues With GNWT Health Insurance Provider
Minister’s Statement 10-15(5): 2006 Get Active NWT Community Challenge
Minister’s Statement 9-15(5): Celebrating The Success Of Graduates
Question 32-15(5): Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Question 33-15(5): Consideration For Safe Communities Legislation
Question 34-15(5): Exploring Options To Meet Housing Needs Other Than Convertible Workforce Housing
Question 35-15(5): Concerns With GNWT Human Resources Service Levels
Question 36-15(5): Ekati Mine Labour Dispute
Question 37-15(5): Consideration For “On-The-Land” Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs
Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik
Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns
Question 40-15(5): Value Of Convertible Workforce Housing Project
Question 41-15(5): Affordable Housing Strategy
Question 42-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project
Question 43-15(5): Residential School Lump Sum Payments
Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment
Question 45-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project
Question 46-15(5): Delivery Of Dust Control Programs For Small Communities
Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And No. 7
Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board
Question 49-15(5): Status Of Canol Heritage Park Project
Tabled Document 10-15(5): NWT Biodiversity Action Plan Report Two: Gap And Overlap Analysis And Recommendations For Future Actions
Tabled Document 14-15(5): The Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act - Yukon Presentation
Tabled Document 15-15(5): Toward New Voluntary Sector - Government Of The NWT Relationships And Funding Arrangements - Final Report
Written Question 3-15(5): Dene K'onia Facility Project
Written Question 4-15(5): Statistical Information
Statements

Member’s Statement On Due Diligence For New Housing Proposals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak on the Novel housing concept. Mr. Speaker, for me the rules of engagement for this government in the ATCO Novel housing is pretty straightforward. It is very straightforward. We, the people of the NWT, are to get a real good deal by taking over the used workforce trailers from the pipeline company after it is finished with them. We are lobbying for ATCO to get this contract, in the hopes that we will end up with at least 830 used but converted mobile homes at the end of the day at a cost better than anything else comparable, certainly a lot cheaper than stick-built homes and presumably a lot better than unused, unconverted, brand new mobile homes in the market. Mr. Speaker, I have to ask, where is the evidence? The government has spent already hundreds of thousands of dollars on touring the facilities and staffing. Yesterday, in the House and in committee, the Minister tells us, in fact, it will cost us more to buy the used ATCO trailers and convert them to Novel housing than the conventional approach under its own affordable housing initiative. This is not taking into consideration all the liability this government is assuming on this project, Mr. Speaker, because the Minister said we would get 530 units spending $100 million and yet we will spend twice as much to get only 300 more.

Mr. Speaker, if this is such a great project, I would like to suggest a few things and one is that the government should stay out of this project. ATCO is a big company; they have all the resources; they can do their own lobbying. Let them bear all the liability, let them buy those trailers or keep those trailers because it is their trailers they’re making, they’re going to rent it to the pipeline companies. Let them convert them, let them transport them and then the government could be the biggest buyer for them. If the government insists on assuming this liability, I have to insist on better numbers, on a better deal and better due diligence. The only way for this government to be transparent and responsible on this project is to do a tender. The government must send out a tender and say, for $200 million, who can provide us…

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Sandy Lee, your time for Member's statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to just finish my sentence? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I challenge you and challenge this House; we have to at least ask the industry to see what they can do with $200 million in terms of providing housing. At the end of the day, ATCO could be the winner, but we would all be aboveboard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause