Glen Abernethy

Question has been called.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation as well.

I talked in my Member’s statement about flexibility of programs. The lack of flexibility is, I think, a problem across the government as a whole, not just the Housing Corporation. But there are certainly certain areas within the Housing Corporation where the programming lacks flexibility.

I highlighted in my Member’s statement one example where the programs are set up in such a way that it doesn’t encourage tenants to go back to work or take advantage of short-term employment...

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.