Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Housing. As I mentioned a few times in this House, we recently have the Joe Greenland Centre that opened last summer. A great facility, Mr. Speaker. We also have one that's under construction in Fort McPherson. The main issue with Joe Greenland Centre's since we noticed from October to April was the heating system, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, even through the election campaigning when I was visiting the elders there, they had little heaters set up in their units, Mr. Speaker. A couple of them had burnt out just because they were working so hard, but I'd like to ask the Minister, you know, what is the department's plan to resolve the heating problem at the Joe Greenland Centre? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of NWT Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Joe Greenland building is really an unfortunate incidence because not only were there heating issues within that building, that's a building that we accommodate our seniors which are really valuable population within the Territories, and so on behalf of the department I do apologize that there was a mix-up with the heating system. The plan to go forward though, we consulted with engineers, we did a lot of research in it, we checked the building code. We couldn't find any actual issues. The building was up to code, it was engineered properly. And so after doing all of the research the plan to move forward is actually on Monday, this past Monday, June 20th, we renegotiated with the contractor and so we will be putting extra radiators into each unit within that building. And I can guarantee that that will be done by the end of summer so that our seniors actually have a warm place to sleep in the winter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That's good news. I hope that that resolves the issue. As I mentioned, we also have a similar design that's being built in Fort McPherson. Will the department ensure that that system is adequate for the building that's being built and that we have proper heat this coming winter?
Actually, the other seniors' facilities may look similar, but they're actually a different design, so we're not projecting that there will be any other instance with those different design buildings.
Mr. Speaker, you know what, we'll see what happens with the Joe Greenland Centre this coming winter, but you know if that does not resolve the problem, will the department look at other heating systems, whether it's wood pellet boilers or something like this? I know the government is leaning towards more wood pellet boilers in the community, so you know that may be an option that we may have to look at if that doesn't resolve the issue. So will the department look at that alternative?
Yes, as stated earlier, heat is very important to all people and I have a special commitment towards our elders as well, so we are getting the radiators fixed and if that does not resolve the issue then we will look at alternative heat systems. But I can guarantee that we will address the issue of heat for our Elders.
Oral Questions. Member for Frame Lake.
