David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the processes we’re working on is trying to ensure people have a better understanding of our programs and services with regard to the IHP programs, independent housing programs, our EDAP programs and other programs that are out there. I think that because of the needs surveys we have, I know it’s an issue here in the House, on how those dollars are allocated. But again, it’s an application-based program. We do have program dollars going into Jean Marie River this fiscal year. Also, looking at the needs surveys that we do have, we are looking at revising our...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, this was an initiative that was done trying to ensure that we meet the needs of our communities and looking at the long-term initiative. The first phase was to try to accommodate the professionals in communities. We heard from the DEAs and the education councils. They said there was a need for housing in those communities. By the time these units were in place in those communities, a lot of people…Right now, we have Fort Res residents approaching the Housing Corporation to purchase these units. In Fort Res, those units came in at a cost of about...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, it’s a process that we go through by way of a 10-year plan that we have developed. In that plan we are implementing the new needs surveys and also trying to ensure that we are able to accommodate communities that are in need, according to the survey. But more importantly, Mr. Speaker, it has to meet the budgetary criteria for the corporation. As we know, we are now phasing out social funding. Again, in order to meet that need, we have to work within the budget. So right now, Mr. Speaker, we have to allocate based on need, but also within the budget...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Member should maybe go into these communities and see how many people are occupying these units.

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In the community of Fort Good Hope, we have three teachers staying in one unit. So you accommodate three people in one unit, and that does not mean that all four units aren’t occupied. I think the whole idea to bring down the cost if people want to share rent and whatnot by having roommates, more power to them because they are only paying in the area of $300 a month for rent. I think you can’t go wrong with regard to that, where we have people in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to recognize three people in the gallery, famous artists: Mr. Antoine Mountain.

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Also Margaret Donovan, who runs a gallery here in Yellowknife, from Tsiigehtchic.

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Also Victor Stewart, who’s a recreation director in Fort McPherson. Welcome to the House.

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I think it’s important that now we have something there establishing a market in the community where we never had a market before and by having something that’s affordable where individuals can afford to pay a mortgage on these units knowing that the cost is $130,000.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, presently we are reviewing the mandate of the Housing Corporation and this is one of the areas we can focus in. Because we haven’t concluded that review, this is something we’ll definitely bring back to the department to look at and see if there are ways we can revise how we determine rents and rates. I’ll bring it back to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the way the Social Housing Program is delivered, it is a social program that is delivered through CMHC -- which are national programs that are delivered across Canada for social housing -- where, as an agent of CMHC, we, as the territories, along with Nunavut, probably have one of the leaner rate scales in the country. Again, it is a national standard that we follow. Again, this is social housing. It is designated for low income tenants, but also we accommodate people who want to move into social housing with the awareness that, as a high...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce that one of my former constituents, Robert Arthur Alexis, along with Penguin Books of Canada, will be releasing his second novel, The Pale Indian, this month. Robert was born and raised in Fort McPherson and served as sub-chief and then chief of Tetlit Gwich’in of Fort McPherson. Robert was also instrumental in assisting the Gwich’in to realize their claim in 1992. He served two terms on the Gwich’in Tribal Council as vice-president and is currently with the Gwich’in Land and Water Board in Inuvik.

Robert’s first novel, Porcupines and China Dolls, which...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, rate increases are based on the tenant’s act, which is an act which is enforced through the Department of Justice. At this time, in order to increase any rent, you have to give three months' notice. If you’re not satisfied with that decision, you appeal that to the tenancy officer who is there to oversee the tenant’s act. That’s the appeals process that you go through. You appeal a decision you don’t like or an eviction that you receive through the tenancy officer who is responsible for enforcing the tenant’s act. Again, that follows the...