David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of the Housing Corporation regarding the latest core needs report. The 2009 report compared to the 2004 report, it seems like we haven’t seen any improvements in that area. We put forward new programs and services. At one point we used to have liaison officers in our communities to assist on program delivery. Are we going to review our programs that we do deliver in light of the dismal numbers we see in the report that was just tabled? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the whole program and service area, we also have to realize that we do have an aging infrastructure. The older these houses get, the more it’s going to cost to repair. My colleague Mr. Beaulieu mentioned that we have to look at the area of “if we don’t do anything now, it’s going to cost us more in the future.” So wherever possible, we should try to do what we can to keep residents in their own homes and offer them repair programs to keep their houses over a certain level. I just want to ask the Minister if he could make an effort to try to...

I, for one, feel that we do have to do a better job in regards to how we look at the income thresholds, because it seems to be one of the barriers. Also, with regard to the requirements under the programs where you are disallowed if you’ve had previous programs with the Housing Corporation... I think a lot of people realize that most houses in the communities were put on the ground through the federal housing or aboriginal housing programs through the federal government. Because of that, you’re being disallowed. Is that something that will also be looked at in this review?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, housing is essential infrastructure in our communities to house our families, our friends and, more importantly, to sustain our communities. But, Mr. Speaker, from the latest report from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, statistics on core needs shows that there is definitely a problem with the number of core units that are in core need, especially in my riding where 43 percent of the houses in Aklavik are in core need, 33 percent in Fort McPherson and 41 percent in Tsiigehtchic.

Mr. Speaker, this government provides programs and services to...

Clause 91 to 99.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister if there’s a possibility… I know there was a formal motion passed in this House to request some sort of a regional workshop or conference dealing with the boards in regard to the wildlife management boards so that they can come forward with their ideas on how to find a solution out of this problem that we’re all facing. Like I said, they’re the ones who are on the front-line, they’re the ones who are dealing with the harvesters, they’re dealing with the people in the communities. So I’d like to ask the Minister, has there been a...

The motion is in order. The motion is being circulated. To the motion.

Clause 71 to 80.

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the Minister’s response, I believe the key word here is “conservation” and, more importantly, consultation and ensuring that the mechanisms that we use is a formal process, regardless to boards having some authorities, boards ensuring public input and boards ensuring that at the end of it all there will be some sort of a conservation measure recommended to the Minister. I think that’s the piece that we’re still waiting for. I know you mentioned that they’re hoping to have it by next fall. I’d like to ask the Minister exactly when will the conservation plan be...

[Microphone turned off]...transfer of public housing rent supp. Questions? Comments? Mr. Yakeleya.