Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to report on the progress being made on the National Housing Strategy.
On April 9, 2018, I, along with my provincial, territorial, and federal counterparts, met in Toronto to endorse a multilateral Housing Partnership Framework. The partnership framework further advances the National Housing Strategy and sets the foundation for federal, provincial, and territorial governments to work together toward achieving a long-term, shared vision for housing.
This endorsement means that we are now moving toward accessing funds beyond the Northern Housing funding previously announced. One such fund is the Canada Housing Benefit. To address the affordability of market rents, the Canada Housing Benefit will launch in 2020 and provide affordability support directly to families and individuals in housing need.
Another area of funding under the strategy is the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. This fund is application- and partnership-based, and will support the construction of new affordable housing and the repair and renewal of existing community and affordable housing. A major component of the strategy is the support under the Canada Community Housing Initiative. To support this Legislative Assembly's priority of addressing the cost of living, we committed to increasing lobbying of the federal government to halt the continued reduction in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation operation and maintenance funding for public housing units. This was a key aspect of our negotiation with the federal government. As a result, while our previous agreement with Canada is still in effect, the federal government has agreed to provide under the Canada Community Housing Initiative funds equal to the cumulative decline of public housing operations and maintenance funding for the life of the National Housing Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, it was a long and hard fight to get the recognition that existing public housing needs long-term support, especially in the North, where public housing forms such a large part of the total housing stock. I am proud to say that we have made significant progress. While this victory is good news, we must continue to advocate on the importance of public housing to ensure that any future agreements and strategies beyond this National Housing Strategy see such housing supported long into the future.
Further work is under way to address the disproportionate allocation of funds under the Northern Housing Fund. I met with federal Minister Jean-Yves Duclos to raise the issue and to find opportunities to address this funding gap. During this meeting, I had the opportunity to discuss our concerns about the lack of information being shared on the Indigenous Housing Strategy. It is critical that all Indigenous peoples in the Northwest Territories are able to access these funds, and I will continue to place pressure on the federal government on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is working through its ongoing engagement with the Government of Canada to access funding for the Northwest Territories that will directly benefit residents. The Housing Corporation is now negotiating our bilateral agreement with Canada, which I anticipate may be concluded prior to our next sitting. Once completed, I will share the full details with this House, including funding amounts.
The road ahead involves tough, critical work to ensure that our final funding agreement with Canada truly works for the benefit of our residents. I know that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will work tirelessly to ensure a result that will have a meaningful impact on housing in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, for many communities across the North, air travel is an essential service. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to improving airport infrastructure and operations by working and strengthening connections with public and private sector partners in transportation infrastructure.
The Northwest Territories' 27 community airports are critical to the economic and social well-being of our residents. They provide essential services, including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue, forest fire response, and much more. Ongoing improvements to our airports allow for safe and efficient movement of these and other essential goods. They also help our residents, relatives, and friends looking to stay connected do so in a more safe and effective way.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide an update on key airport improvement projects under way across the NWT. It was announced earlier this year that the federal government will be investing over $2 million toward new airfield lighting in Fort Smith airport. This work is now under way and not only will the new lights be more effective for aircraft pilots and airport maintainers, they are also energy efficient LED lighting, which will help our government meet territorial and national commitments to lower energy consumption. Similar lighting replacement projects were completed last fall at the Tuktoyaktuk and Norman Wells airports.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has also received $300,000 for the new airfield sweeper for the Norman Wells airport. This improvement will help keep snow, ice, and debris off runways and taxiways, which is an important aspect of maintaining our airports. The new sweeper will also allow for more reliable and effective airport operations.
Mr. Speaker, both of these projects are funded under the Airport Capital Assistance Program, also known as ACAP. ACAP is administered by Transport Canada and provides financial support to eligible airports for the replacement of key infrastructure and assets related to safety. The program has made a significant impact on the NWT airports system, with over $27 million in improvements over the last 20 years. With this fiscal support, the Government of Canada is helping to enhance not only safety and efficiency, but also the economic potential of transportation infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.
The GNWT is currently awaiting approval for funding from ACAP on a number of airport improvement projects. These include funding for a snow blower for Fort Smith, new airfield lighting for Fort Simpson, an overlay of the Hay River runway, and reconstruction of taxiway C in Inuvik.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the biggest airport project currently under way is the replacement of the air terminal building in Inuvik. The current terminal was built in 1958 and is in need of replacement. The GNWT has budgeted $30 million for this important infrastructure project that will serve residents and visitors travelling to Inuvik and beyond.
Detailed design and site preparation is expected to happen by this fall. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2019, followed by the demolition of the existing air terminal building in 2021. Once the new build has reached substantial completion and is commissioned, design of the building will focus on public space, baggage systems, concessions, airport operation and administration, improved accessibility, a tower height that meets required specifications, and overall, travelers will notice an improved passenger experience and an airport that better fits the needs of various users.
Mr. Speaker, as the largest and busiest aviation gateway to the North, the Yellowknife airport continues to focus on improvements that contribute to economic growth and better passenger experience. In July of 2017, Yellowknife airport began operating as a self-sustaining business model and, since that time, it has collected $10.5 million in revenues.
Recent enhancements at the Yellowknife airport include the launch of the Cabin gift shop, which has already received positive feedback from local, national, and international visitors wishing to take home souvenirs of their uniquely northern stay. Merchandise is sourced from northern suppliers, providing additional income to some of the many small businesses operating across our territory.
Yellowknife airport is also working with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, known as CATSA, on major upgrades to the pre-board screening area and departures lounge. These improvements will allow CATSA to have a more efficient security screening process. We anticipate upgrades to the pre-board screening area will be completed by the end of June, just in time for the peak summer travel season.
Improvements to the departure lounge are also continuing in order to offer passengers a greater assortment of food and beverages to enjoy before flights. The next phase, phase three of this project, will also include improvements to aesthetics of the departure lounge, with new paint, new carpeting, and an overall fresh look.
Mr. Speaker, another major initiative at the Yellowknife airport that I would like to share with you is the development of a 20-year master plan. The plan will consider growth and improvement options for the airport and serve as a guide to future development initiatives. We are exploring a number of options to further contribute to the airport's sustainable business model, increased employment, and economic growth and development. A few of the considerations include commercial development, new partnership opportunities, and improved service delivery to our existing stakeholders.
The Department of Infrastructure aims to maintain a safe and secure multi-modal transportation system. We will continue to work with our federal partners, air carriers, and other stakeholders to make improvements to our air transportation system while investigating new ways to make strategic investments in our infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, today in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly we celebrated seven individuals who have made tremendous contributions to education in the Northwest Territories.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame in 2010 to recognize outstanding educators, volunteers, board members, administrators, and community members involved in education across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, for this year's celebration, nominations came from every region. From the Beaufort Delta region, Bella Kay is a life-long learner who began her career in 1968 as a teacher's aide in Fort McPherson. In 1976, she enrolled in the Teacher Education Program through Aurora College and the University of Saskatchewan and entered the world of teaching. That wasn't the end of her learning. Ms. Kay once again returned to Aurora College for the Aboriginal Language Instructor program, from which she graduated in 2007. Bella Kay has dedicated more than 30 years to educating the children of the Beaufort Delta. She has shown an outstanding commitment to both teaching and life-long learning.
From the Deh Cho region, Brian Jaffray is a Teacher Consultant with the Dehcho Divisional Education Council. Mr. Jaffray has a long and varied career in northern education, spanning more than 36 years. He has been a leader in the procurement and use of education technology, ensuring small schools have the resources they need to succeed. He has worked on special school projects requiring technology and media support, and he served both as a regional coordinator of Heritage Fairs and the president of the NWT Heritage Fairs Society. Mr. Jaffray is a true leader who has always been motivated by a deep and abiding desire to do what is best for students.
From the South Slave region, Lois Firth Lafferty is a retired teacher from Fort Smith who is Metis of Gwich'in and Scottish heritage. She is committed to excellence and willing to give her time, knowledge, energy, and passion to make sure students achieve excellence in all that they do. Lois is described as an unselfish, compassionate educator who has touched the lives of many, young and old, through her contagious, positive attitude and instinctive ability to light up any classroom since 1979.
From the Tlicho region, Rosa Mantla is the language and culture coordinator in Behchoko. Ms. Mantla is fluent in the Tlicho language and she is deeply committed to the revitalization of the Tlicho language and culture in the region. She has worked in many capacities in the education system, including teacher, immersion teacher, and principal. A recent graduate of the University of Victoria with a Master's degree, she is a strong advocate for education and a resource for others working to obtain degrees in many different fields.
In the North Slave region, Jean Marie Mariez is the supervisor of French Studies at the Yellowknife Education District No. 1. He has been instrumental in promoting second-language education for children in Yellowknife for more than 15 years. Through his tireless efforts, thousands of children have obtained second-language proficiency in French. At YK1 schools, he initiated an early immersion program and an Intensive French and post-intensive French program. These programs have allowed students to graduate with proficiency in English and French. Each year, there is an increase in the number of students who enter either the French immersion or intensive French program. The linguistic approach in intensive French and the overall success of the program has led to the advancement of the Indigenous language program.
Also from the North Slave region, Gerard Landry is a teacher at St. Patrick's High School, where his dedication to fair play in sports and in the classroom has been experienced by students for decades. Mr. Landry will create numerous teams to make sure every student who tries out has a spot, and he works to give all of them the opportunity to play and experience teamwork and dedication to a goal. In the classroom, whether a student is initially engaged or not, he encourages and supports them to reach their potential. One of his former students said, "Because of his humility and calm demeanor, his efforts and the impact of his actions are often overlooked…he has had a profound but quiet impact on the lives of northern students. It's hard to describe the impact an educator has on a student's life. It's not the big events that make a difference, it's the small and constant ones that add up to change a student's life."
Mr. Speaker, I had the difficult task of choosing the Minister's Choice Award. Chris Gilmour, superintendent of the Beaufort Delta Education Council, stood out this year amongst the many great choices. After assuming responsibility for educational technology in lnuvik's schools, he recognized that students in small community schools needed better and more consistent access to academic courses. With his strength in instructional technology, he was pivotal to developing the northern distance learning program, which provides academic high school courses in small communities.
Mr. Speaker, this is the ninth group of inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. The 2018 inductees inspire us with their dedication, caring, creativity, and passion. All of these distinguished people are with us in the gallery today.
Mr. Speaker, I ask Members to join me in honouring the 2018 Education Hall of Fame inductees for their commitment to the students, families, and communities of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Congratulations once again to the 2018 Education Hall of Fame recipients. Masi for being here with us. Masi for making a big difference in the Northwest Territories. Ministers' statements. The Deputy Premier.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Premier will be absent from the House for the remainder of this sitting to receive the Diamonds Do Good Responsible Government Award on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, if I may with your indulgence, I would like to request a change in the order of the day to move item 5 to item, well, now, which would be item 3. I seek unanimous consent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and welcome to the House today Jean Marie Mariez, who, as we heard earlier today, is one of the inductees into the Education Hall of Fame, long-time supervisor with YK1, and strong promoter, of course, of Francophone programs in the education system. So I want to congratulate him once again. He is a resident of Yellowknife North. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to also congratulate Mr. Landry, who was a teacher of mine from grades 2 to 6 in Saint Patrick's. I talked to him today. He has no intention of retiring. So congratulations to them both. Thank you for being here, and congratulations. Thanks.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Brian and Terry Jaffray. Brian received introduction into the Hall of Fame this year. As well, last year, Terry Jaffray was recognized. Both, I would consider friends and good supporters, so I thank them very much for being recognized, and good job. He is also part of the fire department and very active in the curling club, so thank you very much, Brian. As well, I would like to recognize again my CA, Debra Richards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again recognize the two Pages from my riding who are here working for us today. They are Alexa Mandeville-Pasowisty and Santina Vanloon. I would also like to recognize their chaperone, Meghan Adams. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize Gerard Landry. I have the pleasure of playing hockey with him. I am not sure I would describe him as having a calm demeanour on the ice, but he is a great teacher, so I want to congratulate him for that. I would also like to recognize Michael Le, who is a Page here in the Chamber with us this week and thank him for his service to us all. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. [English translation not provided.] Merci.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would again like to recognize an illustrious group of educators in the gallery today, the 2018 inductees into the Education Hall of Fame, celebrated earlier today in the Great Hall: Mr. Chris Gilmour from Inuvik; Bella Kay from Inuvik; Brian Jaffray from Fort Simpson; Lois Lafferty from Fort Smith; Jean Marie Mariez from Yellowknife; Gerard Landry from Yellowknife; and Rosa Mantla from Behchoko, an incredible group of teachers, educators.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I rise today to speak to a matter that is very familiar to the floor of this House. That is the backlog of cases that exist with the rental officer of the Northwest Territories. The honourable Members for Hay River North and Yellowknife Centre have risen to attempt to get some sort of resolution to this matter. I commend their work on this important issue.
The rental officer exists as the final arbiter between the various tenants, both public and private, in our Territory, resolving matters pertaining to rent arrears but also property damages, disturbances, and the obligations of the parties to their lease agreements. The rental office does great and necessary work for the people of the Northwest Territories, and they should be commended for their dedication and professionalism in the face of two of the most personal matters in the lives of citizens: money and shelter.
However, Mr. Speaker, the continued short-staffing of the office has caused delays, pushing the majority of cases from being seen within 60 days to over 90 days. When the cases involve the owing of rent arrears, this causes the amount owing to often compound, snowballing further into an amount that is even more difficult to recoup while still sacrificing the income-generating potential of the unit.
To give an example, Mr. Speaker, one of my constituents just recently went through the proper process of trying to evict a tenant who was months in arrears and filed the notice to terminate the lease with the rental officer. At the time, he was informed by the rental officer that it will be three months before he could get a hearing. Three months after that, he was informed the hearing would be pushed back another two months, costing him thousands of dollars more in unpaid rent. Northerners shouldn't have to go broke because of the under-resourcing of an already overworked office. Any delay in seeing the rental officer to resolve these matters can have a huge negative impact on the livelihood of a landlord, in addition to causing an undue amount of stress and anxiety on all parties involved.
Mr. Speaker, this is a matter of interest to all citizens of the Northwest Territories because, in the end, someone will have to pay. In the case of small-scale landlords, they often have to eat the loss while waiting for an eviction to be processed. In the case of larger landlords, that loss has to be made up somewhere else, which will result in higher rents for other tenants. All in all, delays of the rental office affect us all. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice regarding what is being done to alleviate the pressure felt by the staff of the rental office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during our last sitting, on February 7, 2018, I made a Member's statement on the benefits of turning the existing Stanton Hospital into a school for nurses and other workers in the field of homecare. Such an initiative, among other things, will extend the time in which seniors can remain in their homes and their communities. Investing in ideas like this is something I have long advocated for, and it seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
Today, the Minister of Health announced the use of the existing Stanton Hospital. However, Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of ECE tabled a report, Aurora College Foundational Review, with some findings that I very much agree with regarding higher education in NWT. The review states that now is an opportune time for the GNWT to step back and reconsider the vision of post-secondary education.
Mr. Speaker, I share with you my vision of what some high education in NWT should look like in the future. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken many times in the House the need for the NWT Housing Corporation to invest in retrofitting seniors' homes to remove physical barriers so that seniors can remain in their home as long as possible. I have also spoken many times in the House about the government's need to spend money strategically. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am convinced that investing in a nursing school or homecare training centre, our Territory will see considerable long-term returns.
Mr. Speaker, imagine what benefits a training centre like this could have in the NWT. Not only would our seniors benefit from the pool of northern workers, but also the long-term care facilities and a homecare program in all 33 communities. We would have the NWT residents gaining both education and employment in a field of high demand in our territory. It has potential to eliminate many of our social ills, as I have talked about many times in this House.
Mr. Speaker, in 10 years that I have been an MLA, I have asked the government to spend more strategically, but the government chooses to do the same thing over and over, which is spend money on certain items that have minimum positive impact on the NWT and its residents and slide further and further into debt. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want Cabinet to pull out all stops so that we can start seeing our most respected citizens, our elders, remain in their homes, in their communities, whether it be Fort Smith, Colville Lake, Yellowknife, Lutselk'e, Fort Resolution, or Detah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is fitting I am doing this Member's statement today. Graduation ceremonies are a life event. They are one of those rare and special times when we take a pause and recognize that an achievement has been made, an accomplishment has been recognized, and determination has been rewarded.
We do it with our peers, both with those who have shared in their experience and reached this milestone with us and those who have watched, supported, and encouraged us in pursuing our goals. Like marriage, or even birth, it represents the end of one chapter in our lives and commencing on another. As spectators in the story of our lives, let us all pause and offer congratulations on a job well done.
Mr. Speaker, on April 28th, I had the opportunity to be part of the Aurora College graduation ceremony, where five constituents from Nahendeh achieved this goal. In the upcoming weeks, the communities are going to see a number of celebrations I would like to share with you here today.
On June 14th, Sambaa K'e will be having a celebration for their grade 9 students because, next year, they will be going off to Fort Simpson to complete their high school.
Fort Liard will see two graduation ceremonies. The first one being June 14th, where we will see the largest grad class for the school. We will see nine students graduating, with at least six students heading off to the Grande Prairie Regional College thanks to the Distance Learning Program. On June 19th, the junior kindergarten class will be graduating.
Fort Simpson will see the grade 6 and kindergarten class graduate on June 15th. On June 16th, we will see students from TSS graduate. This will be the last time people will be graduating from TSS. This class will include students from Wrigley and Fort Simpson. You ask why they are only graduating from Fort Simpson? They are changing the school's name, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say that these graduation ceremonies are happy moments for the students, parents, and staff. I would like us to congratulate them all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke about the widespread use of heavy fuel oil in vessels transiting the Arctic and the severe dangers that it poses in comparison to other types of fuel. I also highlighted the fact that, unlike Antarctica, the use of heavy fuel oil is not regulated in its northern counterpart.
Mr. Speaker, in February the International Maritime Organization approved a new two-way route in the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait, after accepting proposals by the United States and Russia. These routes take effect on December 1st. The approval of these routes will likely contribute to a further increase of vessel traffic in the Arctic Ocean. While increased traffic in and of itself is not a bad thing, the NWT is not ready for it, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, our fragile environment is in danger in the case of accidents and spills. Search and rescue is far away, and clean-ups would take too long to prevent the apparent damage. Our communities have decaying docks that can barely support local use, let alone be of any use to larger shipping and cruise boats. We do not have the infrastructure to support increased maritime traffic and respond to emergencies, and yet, we are the ones who will suffer the negative impacts the most.
Mr. Speaker, with the new highway to Tuktoyaktuk, the community is in an ideal position to host a deep-sea port. As traffic in the Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage grows, governments will have to invest in our lagging infrastructure, and the Government of the Northwest Territories has a key role to play in working together with federal and Indigenous governments.
Later, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, by now, we all accept the importance of developing clean, renewable, carbon-neutral energy sources. I am very pleased that we are moving ahead, with assistance from our federal partners, in developing a business plan for the Taltson River hydro system. That's a game changer, Mr. Speaker; clean, renewable power that will significantly reduce our reliance on diesel. There is even talk in GNWT hallways about investigating molten salt reactors. This technology has future potential to provide answers to all of our energy needs, from isolated communities to new mines, another game changer if it comes to fruition, Mr. Speaker.
While we wait for these future initiatives, other alternative energies need our support. Right now, consumers in our territory want to invest in solar and wind. Right now, there are innovating businesses wanting to provide it. It should be the government's role to support that, not restrict it, but, Mr. Speaker, through the net metering, this government regulates the scale of alternative energy projects.
Currently, we limit alternative energy installations to 15 kilowatt hours. That means that they can set up on residences, but they can't get a foothold in commercial operations. That 15-kilowatt hour cap prevents that scale of installation. When medium-to-large businesses do the math on cost versus benefit at this rate, there is no incentive to make the switch.
Mr. Speaker, the Yukon permits projects up to 50 kilowatt hours. Case studies show that that allows businesses to offset 35 to 40 per cent of their energy needs with alternatives. At 15 kilowatt hours, they can only generate 8 to 10 per cent, not enough to make it worth the investment. Mr. Speaker, no one wants to pay more for power, but we have to ask: is our commitment to alternative energy real? If this government's power strategy doesn't promote alternatives at a scale that makes it viable for our small businesses and industries, is it the right strategy?
The demand is there for affordable, renewable, clean energy. Innovative technologies are here now and growing by the day. Our Energy Strategy Climate Change Framework calls for reducing diesel in favour of clean power, but our regulations create a significant obstacle, allowing carbon emissions to continue.
Surely, Mr. Speaker, it is time that this net metering policy be changed to match the needs and demands of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Kakisa is perhaps most well-known due to its proximity to Lady Evelyn Falls. The adjacent territorial park provides amenities that make the falls a comfortable experience. The community is small, but with beautiful log houses, it provides a welcoming atmosphere to visitors.
One of the facilities available in the community is a dock on Kakisa Lake. The dock is popular among the locals for recreation purposes and is heavily used for fishing and tourism. Because of the multitude of uses and its popularity, residents are interested in upgrading the dock so that it can accommodate floatplanes as well.
Mr. Speaker, as tourism in the NWT continues to grow, it is important for our communities outside regional centres to also take advantages of this growth. With investments already in place around Kakisa in the form of Lady Evelyn Territorial Park, roads, and others, the natural progression is to upgrade facilities that are both heavily used by locals, but that would also offer enhanced experiences to tourists and allow for floatplanes to be safely used in and around the community.
Mr. Speaker, investments in local community infrastructure improve the quality of life for our residents. This is especially true when considering upgrading heavily used facilities. Upgrading the dock in Kakisa would offer residents a better experience, provide opportunities for tourism growth, and allow for the safe operation of floatplanes into and out of the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week, I provided my mandate letter to the Minister now responsible for the Housing Corporation and Homelessness. One of my priorities is to help get families experiencing homelessness into housing. I mentioned constituents of mine, a working family of six, who have been living in a bachelor apartment for the last three years and who have not been able to obtain housing from the Yellowknife Housing Authority.
I was puzzled by the Minister's reply to me about this situation. He said, and I quote, "In some of our small communities where we don't even have housing, those numbers go up, and that's where we need to work on addressing needs right across the Northwest Territories." I interpreted his answer to mean they aren't homeless, because at least they have a home.
Mr. Speaker, this family doesn't really have a home. There are six of them in a place that is intended for one person. They have a mini-bar and a hot plate. This accommodation does not meet their needs, but because they aren't living in a tent, they are not absolutely homeless. As a result, they have not risen to the top of the Housing Authority waiting list. In fact, it would increase their chances of getting into housing if they did live in a tent.
Mr. Speaker, this situation is familiar from my YWCA days. The staff at YWCA Transitional Housing Program helped families stabilize themselves by providing various kinds of support. When the family is ready to move out of Rock Hill, they usually have to move back into homelessness in order to gain enough points to get into public housing. All that good work that is done to help the family goes out the window, and the family has to go back to square one, at least temporarily.
Mr. Speaker, when I considered the family of six and the YWCA, my conclusion is that the Housing Authority is looking for an excuse not to house people. Their approach tells me that, no matter how unsuitable the housing, it is, at least, a house. This is clearly wrong-headed. Families should not have to live in a tent or on a couch to rise to the top of the public housing waiting list. I encourage the Minister to take a closer look at families whose accommodation is marginal and figure out how to make their lives better without first making them worse. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
