Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, with the issue of exploring the use of log homes or doing pilot projects for log homes. I know that historically, even recently, that the log homes have been very expensive and recently someone asked me about the squared log homes where they are squared on three sides. They went up rather quickly, they seemed relatively cheap. Has the corporation done some research with the squared log home construction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been doing pilot projects in different communities with log construction. We do have a program in regard to log homes. But because we’ve had problems in the past with structural problems with two-story units, we’re now recommending that if anyone is going to get into log construction, that they keep it a single floor construction because there is shifting, which is causing problems. But we do have those types of programs. We’ve done pilot projects in the different communities on log construction. So we are open to looking at those types of proposals.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Has the corporation done any research into the squared log homes? I go visit the small communities in my riding and many of the older homes, in excess of 50 years that are sitting there, are squared log homes. At one time it used to be standard to build squared log home buildings. So there must be some research by the Housing Corporation done in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated to the Member, we are open to pilot projects, if he can come up with the idea in regard to these square logs for home construction. We are hoping to use more of our northern products such as our trees for home construction. I think that we do have to work with communities and, as he stated, the homes have been built in the past and it is proven that you can construct homes with logs in the North. So it is something that we are definitely open to. So again, I’d just like to suggest to the Member if he could maybe come forward with some sort of a proposal for the community that he is talking about, we are open to look at that through a pilot project in regard to these log initiatives that we do have through the corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to hear that the Minister is willing to continue to entertain proposals with regard to log home construction and I know in the past there were some cost barriers. Would all the proposals be open, or is there a restriction to the type of building they would like because it sounded like the Minister is opposed to maybe a two-story construction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I stated, we do have a log housing initiative that is a policy within the Housing Corporation. So under that program we see any log homes being constructed that sort of follow the criteria of that initiative, because we have had problems in the past with construction of two-story facilities because of the shifting of the ground and also the logs not settling right. Because of that through, this new initiative we have basically directed people that want to build log homes that there are certain criteria they should follow. So if the Member would like, I can give him a copy of the log housing initiative that we do have so he can see what’s in the guidelines in that program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I kind of like that the Minister is still willing to look at log home construction and that there’s no known policy that they’re not going to be looking at that. Just one more time for the record, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister can tell this Assembly that the corporation is still willing to engage and do pilot projects and build log homes in our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, for the record, we are supportive of log home construction in the North. We do have a log housing initiative policy program and we have those pilot projects in communities to do that. So we are open to pilot projects and also to ensure that we do have log home construction. Thank you.