Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the challenge will be -- and I fully expect we are going to be held accountable on the information we share with Members -- if it’s seen as only high level or it’s seen as a lot of information but really of no worth. So I am committing to work with Members and provide absolutely the best information we can. Of course, we have parameters around how we can operate. I am going to commit to you and Members of this Assembly to share the information that is necessary to make sure we make good decisions for residents of the Northwest Territories. The parameter...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, the GNWT, as we have contracts and contribution agreements with every organization out there, there's annual funding put in place. Nobody is stopping that flow of funding to happen with the agreements that we do have in place, so we're going to continue to meet that commitment that is put in place. But as we establish, as I go through this work of establishing the portfolios with the different Ministers, those tasks will be looked at and working with Members of this House to come up with the appropriate balance.

The problem is, I've found in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in any design we move forward on, looking at the development of the Northwest Territories and environmental impact and footprint is considered as we proceed. Right now, the bridge design that’s been put in place does not have a train trestle as part of it. That would definitely increase the cost and bring back the question of affordability of the project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I must apologize to the seniors of the Northwest Territories. I use the term old folks and that is one I grew up with in the community of Inuvik, so I must apologize. Properly, it is seniors of the Northwest Territories. So with that, the question about the discrimination or the balance, I believe we do have to look at where we are. Ultimately, throughout the Northwest Territories and, in fact, it is quite a coincidental question because the alignment of income support and Housing Program was trying to make a level playing field for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all Members on this side of the House will have a large workload. I have to take into consideration the skill level, the interest in particular areas and how they can work together to ensure we are delivering it and doing it in an efficient way. So that’s going to be taken into the equation. As well, I will look at the seniority of Members, their experience and what they can bring to the table. But every Member on this side of the House will have some heavy lifting to do over the next four years. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, that is another good question that we are going to have to look at as a new Government of the Northwest Territories. The challenge is how do we come up with the right balance? The Member is right in saying that anybody in public housing, a senior has no rent to pay but a senior who is in an old folks’ home, for example, pays rent, pays a significant amount of rent as well as anybody who is in a level of care that requires other supports from the Government of the Northwest Territories. So somebody who is in a long-term care home, for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Member will do well for his seniors and the people in his constituency. Those are normal business activities and we’ll ensure that the proper authorities that are in place are making sure that they meet the safety requirements of individuals in your communities. So we’ll get that message sent down and sent down quick. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we know, we have a long history in the Northwest Territories, returning Members as well, and maybe some of us have short memories.

---Laughter

The fact is, even from the 13th Legislative Assembly, the whole area of our package of supports we have out there for residents of the Northwest Territories has been looked at. I recall even back in the 13th Assembly as a Regular Member on Social Programs, the topic of better coordination of our programs was critical because we had elders, those in low income housing, going to four or five different doors in a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we get up to speed of where this is at, I’m prepared to sit down with Members on this and update them as to where we are. As for coming to a vote for this House, that is something that I will take under review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let’s be clear; the fact is that we have not shut down housing for seniors. We have not shut down housing for those with low income or are on income support. Those are still available to residents across the Northwest Territories. There has been a change in the programming level and that coordination between the Housing Corporation and ECE. We need to have a review to see, in fact, why we are having problems in communities.

As was said across the floor in statements earlier, the fact is we also hear from our constituents in the Northwest Territories....