Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation would have concluded its housing survey of Northerners. Thankfully, it was extended by one month. This survey is meant to help the corporation gather information about what residents want and need in their public and market housing, as well as from government housing programs. In fact, we've heard a lot about this survey.
Back on October 19th, the Minister advised Members that the survey would be put out to every single user of housing services, followed by a cost-based analysis of what residents recommended. Then, on October 27th, we heard that the Housing Corporation would undertake a full review of all its policies starting this month in January once all survey responses had been collected.
Mr. Speaker, I'm concerned that this survey was not nearly as publicized or well-used as it should have been. We've heard that the results of this survey will set the course of the corporation's planning programs and spending for the rest of the 18th Assembly, but we haven't heard how the Corporation made sure to reach as many residents as possible, or of its policy foundation for planning.
Mr. Speaker, following the direction of a handful of survey respondents is not good planning. Not to mention, Mr. Speaker, that when I shared information from this survey, I found that many of my constituents had not seen it before, or didn't know where to find the hard copy. Also, the survey wasn't only meant for public housing tenants. It is also open to tenants of market rentals, and to homeowners, as well as those without stable housing, whether they are staying with friends, or relatives, or in the shelter.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. It not clear to me just how the survey would capture the views of these different groups. Mr. Speaker, what about residents who don't have internet access, or who aren't tech savvy. A survey available online or at the LHO isn't accessible to many of our elders, Mr. Speaker. It makes sense to go door-to-door instead. Face-to-face contact is necessary to ensure strong turnout and valid representation. This might be pricey upfront, Mr. Speaker, but it is better than making big investments on weak data. Some of the survey questions also made me uncomfortable, Mr. Speaker. One asked, “What kind of training could help public housing tenants move toward living independently without government help?” I understand what the survey is getting at, but questions like that sound like "us versus them," not engaging tenants themselves.
Over the past several months, Members' questions about Housing Corporation' policies and projects have often been answered with talk of this survey, waiting on this survey, waiting for the results. Mr. Speaker, I am looking for strong and decisive leadership from the Minister to bring positive changes to the Housing Corporation for the years to come. I'll have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
