Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just for the record with respect to the health care system in the Northwest Territories, I agree with everything the Minister just said. I believe we have a fantastic health care system in the Northwest Territories. I also believe we are under significant challenges. Could we be better? Absolutely. Could we be doing more in the small communities? Please, yes, let’s do that. But we have a pretty good health care system in the Northwest Territories when we compare it to other jurisdictions.

I think what you’re sensing here is some frustration in the fact that we, as Regular...

Mr. Ramsay.

Does committee agree that that concludes our consideration of the NWT Housing Corporation?

Thank you, Minister McLeod. I have no more Members on my list. Are there any questions? We’re on page 3-12, which is an information item. Programs and district operations, infrastructure investment summary, total infrastructure investment summary, $16.420 million.

Thank you Minister McLeod. The next on my list is Mr. Krutko.

I agree 100 percent. I think about our long-term costs, given that our funds are decreasing, I think it’s super important.

Which I think goes to the next thing and I know my colleague Mr. Bromley always asks these types of questions, and I know the Housing Corporation has already accepted a standard of construction that is higher than, say, the national standard. When it comes to what we’re doing, I mean, it’s a little bit more expensive to do some of these things now to increase our efficiencies, to go with pellets, to go with other things, woodstoves, all these types of things in our...

I recognize compared to previous years there seem to be a lot less HELP units being built, which I think is fine given that you guys already have a number of vacancies. Once again, I recognize that you’re working hard to fill those vacancies. There are a lot of public housing replacement lines within this capital plan. Once again, I’m curious about the process. How does one determine when a public housing unit has reached the end of its lifecycle? How do we decide to dispose? Are they all destroyed? Are some simply renovated and their life is reinvigorated, if you will? Are some of them sold...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This motion follows with my Member’s statement and questions I asked earlier today.

Mr. Speaker, the mission of the NWT Housing Corporation is to provide access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing. Through this mission, the intent is that through the provision of housing programs and services, the corporation contributes to the health and education of our people and to the development of sustainable, vibrant and safe communities. This is a great intent and a great mission. The problem is with very rigid programs and very rigid policies, I’m not sure that we can...

Now recognizing the clock, I will now rise and report progress.

I hear the Minister and I understand what the Minister is saying, but at the same time individuals who aren’t receiving subsidies, their salaries may change over the year, there may be peak months, there may be depressed months, bills may change, but when I have a month where I happen to make some extra money, I get to put that money where I want. I get to put it towards debts if I choose or I get to buy myself a new guitar if I choose. Whereas these individuals -- and I’m not talking necessarily seasonal, I’m talking really short-term employment opportunities -- when these individuals have an...