Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Krutko, for that second set of general comments. I’ll call on the Minister to reply to all comments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we are done the comments on this page, I would like to … If there are other comments out there, I would be happy to hold my comments, but if not, I will go forward at this time. I want to follow up on some of the debate we had yesterday on the $400,000 for the nutritious food plans. I just want to mention that we have had motions and recommendations both from the House, from the Social Programs committee over the years without any response from this department. Calling for a milk subsidy for prenatal or neonatal, preschool and early school year children, the...

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. We are on general comments. Anybody with general comments? I will turn to the Minister for a response. Oh, sorry, Mr. Krutko. Did you have a question. I’ll turn to Minister McLeod for a response.

Mr. Speaker, everybody knows that housing issues are huge across the North and in our regional centres as well. Will the Minister work with the NWT Association of Communities and the city to see that the lessons of affordable housing are spread as we look towards the housing crunch that could result especially if there is a go-ahead on the Mackenzie Gas Project? Will he work to ensure that lessons learned here… I think there are a lot of hardworking voluntary efforts from the citizens and so on through the city, and our folks in the Housing Corporation get that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. We are on general comments. Just for reference, communities like community plan for placements I believe is on pages 63 to 65. We will get to that when we get to it. General comments. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to start by following up on my Member’s statement and commending the city for the progressive action they are taking on affordable housing initiatives. I would also like to express my appreciation for the supportive role of the NWT Housing Corporation to date. I would like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit the NWT Housing Corporation to provide continuing support through which participation on the affordable housing committee with the City of Yellowknife or which the City of Yellowknife will be creating very soon? Mahsi.

Thank you, Minister. Next on my list I have Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister for the Housing Corporation spoke yesterday on the release of the 2009 Housing Needs Survey results. I’d like to draw attention to the realities of buying or renting shelter in Yellowknife, and how the City of Yellowknife is working to make housing more affordable.

Our government doesn’t collect housing market data, so we have to rely on CMHC’s 2009 housing report for Yellowknife. If you want to buy an average house in Yellowknife it will cost you $314,000. Only 12 percent of homes go for less than $200,000 and one in five sells for more than...

And next on the list is Mr. Krutko.

I realize these are general comments, so I’m trying to keep my questions general rather than as comments. I suppose my comment there would be I hope that we do maximize our opportunity for building capacity with these funds. Certainly we can’t help but generate jobs when we’re throwing $50 million out there. Some real focus on directing funds to build that capacity in meaningful ways other than just units on the ground, and I know that’s essential as well, could help.

Just my second one, really, is related. I’m happy to see we’re lobbying and I’m sure we’re being more effective in joining our...