Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in discussions with the fire marshal’s office, the minimum amount of upgrade required if we only intend to use the building for another two to four years is what’s been identified. If we intend to use it beyond that timeline, then we have to upgrade the rest of the code requirements that are put in place, and that’s where we get into the $12 million figure. To meet the minimum requirements that we have been directed to, we’re looking at the $3.5 million. So ultimately it’s if we were going to go beyond the two to four years, then we’re going to have to...

Yes, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The building was originally constructed as a student residence in 1957. The amount we are requesting is the amount identified of $3.520 million would deal with code compliance for the building to keep it open for two to four years.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The request from the Housing Corporation in this area is based on the request for 16 new positions in the area of lands and technical positions. The technical officers, five in the districts; lands officers, five in the districts; headquarters, mechanical and electrical designer, one position; GIS mapping specialist, one position; senior lands development officer, one position; land negotiator, one position; lands administration clerk, one position; and, manager of lands, one position, for a total of six within headquarters.

The total amount on an ongoing basis would...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, if we were to do the full requirement of complete renovation for that facility to get another between 10 or 20 years, I believe, a full renovation would be $12 million. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2006-2007, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the forgiveness of debts in accordance with the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, as I stated, the money would be used for a number of areas. One is a consultant to conduct planning and functional programming. As well, we would have to, for the departments and travel for our own staff to talk with other departments that would be directly affected. As well, the surveying that would have to happen at a site, and geotechnical review. There are a number of locations of land that's owned within the community by the Government of the Northwest Territories. We have to see if they're in fact suitable sites to look at an office space.

The...

Thank you, Madam Chair. In this case, the leases that are there would incorporate the cost for this work that’s been done and we’ve approved the money upfront so they can get the work completed. As it’s recovered, it would go back into the general revenues. So in a sense, those who have leases in that area would pay additional cost tied to their leases. So the leases would be renewed and the term of the leases would incorporate the remediation that has been done. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the demolition of a facility would be taken into the plan for a new facility. Whenever we plan a replacement facility, the demolition costs of an existing facility would be incorporated into that. This estimate is very recent. I can’t give you an actual class of estimate, but it is based on the actual code requirements. For example, we would have to inspect the structural integrity, that’s the columns right into the basement and crawlspace; deficiencies should be repaired or shall be repaired; required sign and stamp certification by an engineer...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll have to get information on the actual makeup of how we’re going to form these review committees. Initially, my understanding is that we’re going to look at doing it from within our own forces. If we have to hire outside help to help us in that review, we will do so, much as we’ve done to date, but I will get further information on that piece. Thank you.