Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a follow-up to my Member's statement. I have a couple of questions for the Minister responsible for Housing. I would like to ask the Minister, it actually came up in my constituency meeting. We had leaders in the community, the chief and mayor and also the president of the Designated Gwich'in Organization who brought up the issue that they would like to see a housing authority in Tsiigehtchic board actually set up in the community with members from the community to make decisions that are needed in the community.
I would like to ask the Minister: will the Minister ensure the community of Tsiigehtchic will have a housing authority board in the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct. The best solutions for communities are actually to have the services within the community. It's not the best service to be outside. Those in the community know the situations. They know the strengths and the challenges of community members, so I would like to see a board in Tsiigehtchic as well.
We do have a local housing organization in Tsiigehtchic with a manager. The difficulty has been the board. In 2013, actually, we met with the community and we talked about a board. Out of those people in attendance, only one person actually stated that they wanted a board at that time.
We also put out a call for board members and we didn't get enough interest. That's not okay, though. I mean, that was four years ago, almost five years ago, so it's time to do another one. We actually are going into Tsiigehtchic on March 27 and at that point, again, we will be discussing the board, finding out if the residents want the board. I'm hearing the MLAs saying they want the board, and trying to gain interest from member communities to sit on that board. That seems to be a little bit of a harder challenge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm sure there are no problems finding people to sit on the board. I think what we need to do is make the community aware. You know, when a department is coming into the community, it's always important that it's outside in the community, whether it's on the CBC, the afternoon radio show that everyone listens to. We have to make sure that there are people out there who are aware of this meeting that's taking place. Will the Minister ensure that there is proper community communication and also put it on CBC Radio?
Again, the Member is right. We need to communicate better and we need to communicate with the communities when we are going into their communities. I know that there are some communities that listen adamantly to the question period within the House. I'm hoping that those who hear will spread the word that we are coming on March 27. I'm hoping that the MLA, when he returns to the community, will spread the word that we are coming on March 27. I do state that we will make sure that we have adequate communications going into the community to make sure that as many community members as possible know that we are coming in on March 27.
Masi. March 27, it is. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once again I will have to do the communications for the department. I seem to be having to do this for a lot of the departments, whether it's Infrastructure or other departments that are having these community meetings. I know it's a shame that we don't use whether it's Facebook or, you know, everybody's on Facebook. I know you do it. Some of the departments use Twitter, but not everybody is on Twitter. You know, especially road conditions and other things like this. You know, people really appreciate that. Will the Minister make sure that they use social media to actually get out and let people know when they are coming to the communities? Not only for Tsiigehtchic but Fort McPherson, Aklavik, and other communities throughout the Mackenzie Delta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I don't know how many times I'm going to say today that the Member is right. Communications is an issue. Communications is something we need to work on. We recognize that within the Housing Corporation.
We have a lot of changes to the programs, and the public still isn't aware. We have sent out letters to the municipalities and to the Aboriginal governments. I went into the community of Fort Simpson the other day, and I looked on the bulletin board at the band office, I believe, and it wasn't there. I did give direction as soon as I got back. I said, "Send out more notices," like let people know that. We are looking at a total communications strategy, whether that uses newspapers. I don't use Twitter, either, although I hear I have a Twitter account; Facebook; I'm not so sure everyone accesses the NWT Housing Association's website, but we're working on improving it anyway.
We are looking at a total communications plan to let people know. It's no sense having programs that people don't understand what's out there and the changes. So, yes, I will make sure in the meantime that the March 27 date is posted on my personal Facebook and I will ask the MLA if he would consider posting it on his personal Facebook, as well. I promise I will get him the messaging. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
