Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

November

28

2007

Day

4

Speaker

Word

Members Present

ITEM 1: PRAYER

Assembly Members

Member Default

Hay River North

Member Default

Member Default

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Yellowknife Centre

Member Default

Jackie Jacobson

Member Default

Mackenzie Delta

Member Default

Jackson Lafferty

Member Default

Member Default

Yellowknife South

Member Default

Member Default

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Member Default

Kevin A. Menicoche

Member Default

Michael Miltenberger

Member Default

Member Default

Inuvik Boot Lake

Member Default

Norman Yakeleya

Topics

Member's Statement On Hay River Residents' Concerns Regarding Public Safety

Member’s Statement On Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Member’s Statement On Infrastructure Improvements For Tu Nedhe Communities

Member’s Statement On Office Space For Non-Government Organizations In Fort Simpson

Member’s Statement On Public Housing Rental Assessment

Member’s Statement On Renewable Energy In The NWT

Member’s Statement On Renewable Wind Energy Conference In Tuktoyaktuk

Member’s Statement On Rural Community Capacity Development

Member’s Statement On Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Member’s Statement On Space Limitations At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Member’s Statement On United Way Of Yellowknife

Minister’s Statement 2-16(1): Hamlet Of Enterprise

Minister’s Statement 3-16(1): Human Resources Efforts

Minister’s Statement 4-16(1): Homelessness Initiatives

Minister’s Statement 5-16(1): Minister Absent From The House

Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Question 31-16(1): Rural Community Capacity Development

Question 32-16(1): United Way Of Yellowknife

Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Question 34-16(1): Assistance For NGO Transition In Fort Simpson

Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Question 36-16(1): Space Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 37-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Sachs Harbour

Question 38-16(1): Transfer Of Rental Assessment To NWTHC

Question 39-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Concession Agreement

Question 40-16(1): Emergency Health Services Response For Rural Communities

Question 41-16(1): Taser Gun Use By RCMP In The NWT

Question 42-16(1): Public Service Morale

Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Question 45-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Question 46-16(1): Dialysis Machine For Deh Cho Region

Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Question 48-16(1): Emergency Response Services Study

Question 49-16(1): Trade Mission To China

Question 50-16(1): Invitation To Minister To Visit Nunakput Communities

Question 51-16(1): Renewable Energy Development Initiatives

Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Question 53-16(1): Tax Incentives For Caregivers Of People With Disabilities

Question 54-16(1): 2008 Arctic Winter Games

Question 55-16(1): Core Funding For Northern Arts And Cultural Centre

Question 56-16(1): Office Space For ENR And ITI In Constituency

Question 57-16(1): 2008 Arctic Winter Games

Question 58-16(1): Dementia Facility In Yellowknife

Question 59-16(1): NWT Transportation Infrastructure

Tabled Document 10-16(1): Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 For The Period April 1, 2007 To September 30, 2007

Written Question 1-16(1): Homeownership Programs In Inuvik

Statements

Minister’s Statement 4-16(1): Homelessness Initiatives

Member Default

Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Homelessness is a pressing and complex issue across the Northwest Territories. No one agency or government department can address the problem of homelessness. The Government of the Northwest Territories is working with non-government organizations and communities to alleviate homelessness.

The homelessness fund for small communities is the newest initiative. The program provides funding for application-based emergency shelter projects up to $40,000 and homelessness support projects up to $10,000 in communities outside of Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik. There has been $170,000 provided to organizations in small NWT communities to respond to needs of the homeless. Fort Providence, Hay River Reserve and Wrigley are increasing emergency shelter options. Organizations in Fort Providence, Wrigley, Fort Liard and Aklavik have undertaken projects to help the homeless with their non-shelter needs.

The departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment and the NWT Housing Corporation provide operational funding to several emergency shelter programs, including the Inuvik Homeless Shelter, Salvation Army, the Centre for Northern Families, Hay River Family Support Centre and the SideDoor Youth Centre. The NWT Housing Corporation provided the Centre for Northern Families with a grant of $49,644 for shelter enhancements in 2007-2008. GNWT funding provided to these emergency shelters totals $1,097,330 in 2007-2008.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the NWT Housing Corporation support the transitional housing units provided through the YWCA in Yellowknife. Together they have provided $227,335 to the YWCA for these services.

I am pleased to report on the construction of Bailey House. It will open in March 2008 and will increase the number of transitional housing units in Yellowknife. Bailey House will be a mixed-use, three-storey facility to house 30 to 36 men. The NWT Housing Corporation has partnered with the federal government, the City of Yellowknife, Diavik Diamond Mines Incorporated and other significant community and private business partners to bring the project to reality. The NWT Housing Corporation contributed $1.748 million towards Bailey House. An additional $50,000 from the Department of Health and Social Services has also been provided for operations support. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause