Caroline Cochrane

Absolutely. As soon as we confirm any steps within the process, then we will let the committee and the Regular Members know. As soon as the information that I have is confirmed, then you will know as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The simple answer is yes, but I will expand a little bit on that. The territorial government is actually working in collaboration with the other territories, the Yukon and Nunavut. We have developed a tri-territorial business case to assist with our federal engagement. A conference call between the three territories is scheduled for tomorrow to confirm that, and to talk about any more decisions that we want to make. I'm also going to be meeting with Minister Duclos in Ottawa next week to bring forward our case and to emphasize on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many communities face challenges in providing programs and services to their people because of a lack of affordable housing. The lack of housing makes it hard to recruit and retain staff. Lowering the cost of living is one of the priorities of this Assembly and increasing the availability of safe, affordable housing is one of the key actions to advance that priority.

The private market is not adequately meeting the need for more affordable rental housing, particularly in rural and remote communities. This is because the development and ongoing management of...

Actually, I just got a package from upstairs and so there actually are 11 that are destined for Hay River, so I saved myself a trip for later. At this point, that's not under consideration. The NWT Housing Corporation will be procuring these units through a public process where local businesses will have the opportunity to submit a proposal. We have to keep in mind, though, with the serious financial situation that the NWT is in, the loss of the CMHC funding in 2032, that there may not be money for the operation and maintenance for public housing. So not only was the RCMP housing to support...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the NWT Housing Corporation does use the Bureau of Statistics to provide survey information every five years, and we will continue to do so. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, through the Petroleum Products Program, the Department of Public Works and Services provides fuel to 16 NWT communities not served by the private sector. The department supplies fuel to these communities by truck during the winter road season and by barge in the summer. Prices for consumers typically change once or twice each year, in spring and in fall, after a new supply of fuel is delivered to the community. The wholesale price that the Department of Public Works and Services pays to buy heating fuel and gasoline in bulk has dropped over the past year. Recognizing that our...

As stated earlier, my goal is to ask the communities what they want in each community. It's not up to me. If I'm doing the process according to accreditation standards and best practices, it's not up to me to define what the community needs. It's for the community to define what they want. We will be making choices whether the federal government gives us extra money or does not. We will be trying to base the Housing Corporation’s programs on what the communities need individually. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, I really took heed of the 18th Legislative Assembly’s priority about wanting change within the government, and to be as transparent and as inclusive with the public as possible. The needs surveys that are provided every five years does give us the basic information, but we're actually looking for more information: a breakdown by community on what the people using the community -- the chiefs, the people, the LHOs, et cetera -- would like to see, and programs to be maintained, to be sustained, and to be expanded upon.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge all of the youth participating in the Arctic Winter Games to be held in Nuuk, Greenland from March 6 to 11, 2016. The 2016 Arctic Winter Games is not only an athletic competition, but also an international circumpolar celebration, which provides an opportunity for our youth to develop new friendships, talk about the wonderful assets of the Northwest Territories, and learn about other cultures. I'm extremely proud that 21 of the participants are residents of the Range Lake riding, and no matter how each of...

In all honesty, it is a question that I probably cannot answer. We are waiting to find out the negotiations that will be happening this coming week, actually, in Ottawa, with the Housing Minister and the definition of the budget coming down from the federal government. Once we get that funding and we know exactly what we're dealing with, or lack of what we're dealing with, then we will be able to develop a plan and start implementing program changes or upgrades.