Debates of February 24, 2022 (day 96)

Date
February
24
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
96
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong
Statements

Question 930-19(2): Housing

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I know in the mission statement that the Minister stated there, they used the word "innovation." And innovation is always trying something new and I hope it's just not putting new siding on a House, but. But I really am encouraged by that word and it speaks well to the wood pellet boiler systems that I bring up. And it's not just a word exercise to me but it's to help the Minister and the department in realizing savings and overall there's savings to our bottom line and the budget which we can use elsewhere, Madam Speaker.

I've got the March 29, 2021, letter from the Minister response to my oral question on biomass heating and energy. And it states that the corporation is currently developing its own threeenergy action plan. And it goes on to indicate the report will be out last spring. It would have been AprilMay 2021. Can the Minister update this House as to that report that should have been out in the spring of 2021? Mahsi.

Speaker: MADAM SPEAKER

Thank you. Minister for NWT Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would have to get back to the Member. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. And I believe they were saying that the report would have been another year or something in the making, but. Can the Minister update this House or I take that one back, Madam Speaker.

There is a proposed hydro transmission line to Fort Providence which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the local power plant. Has the department considered this option as electric heat for the rental units in the community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would have to get back to the Member on that response. But I do want to say that we have had some environmental savings approaches as well through the Northwest Territories. We do have solar projects that were completed in Inuvik, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Fort Liard, and Whati. And also for the biomass, we just completed a biomass project here in Yellowknife, I want to say in June of this year, and it was for eight public housing units at Sissons Court. And we do have a biomass project that has been completed in Aklavik, Hay River or sorry, Aklavik, Fort Resolution, N'dilo, Dettah, and Behchoko. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. When contractors or others that provide rental units to the corporation or lease to rent unit, whether it is a single dwelling or an apartment complex, I note that the corporation does not stipulate any direction as to cost savings to the corporation. A lot of new ones where the market housing and also the ones to the RCMP. You know, for the provision of using biomass heating systems to these new units. And I'm just wondering if the Minister will develop a plan to include in the contract documents this provision in all upcoming new units. Mahsi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't have that level of detail right in front of me. But as we are looking at the 90unit delivery throughout the Northwest Territories, we did take into consideration energy efficiency and when constructing and delivering of those units. So I would have to follow up with the Member for those further details. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Speaker: MADAM SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My wood pellet boiler system always gets blown off by energy efficiencies type of thing where you're sealing a door or fixing a broken window. But to stimulate local economies in the small communities, will the Minister look at contracting out wood pellet boiler systems to local contractors or development corporations for the supply of wood pellet boiler system heat to NWT Housing Corporation units? Mahsi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I like where the Member is going with this as well, too, and I didn't want to yes, I'm going to reference your wood pellet boiler system. And also I need to understand the need and demand, the supply throughout the Northwest Territories. I'm not familiar with that. If we were to move into looking at wood pellet boilers, I don't know what the supply is like in the Northwest Territories. So I'd have to get back to the Member in looking at what units would possibly be able that would be eligible for that type of transfer and also the operation and maintenance of that as well. And I'd have to follow up with the Member. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Speaker: MADAM SPEAKER

Thank you. Oral questions, Member for Frame Lake.