Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Minister for quoting me some of those millions of dollars of investments in the Nahendeh riding. I think the key thing is that I’m not too sure why the core needs numbers remain high. I think one of the things we’ll have to do in the interim this coming fiscal year is to do another survey for the Nahendeh number. I know that lots of units are indeed coming up, but I’d like to see progress in the Nahendeh riding and not the numbers going the other way.

Mr. Speaker, I understand there are some investments already in the Nahendeh -- I have six communities -- that may alleviate some of these numbers. I think the survey is completed every three or four years. Is there a way for the Housing Minister to do an interim assessment to track and see how our core needs is in the Nahendeh riding? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That’s exactly part of it too. I look at that project as a make-work for Fort Simpson. If we just send in equipment to tear down the building, that’s not doing anything to help improve our economy. Taking it apart and saving salvageable material can be good for Fort Simpson and for anybody who wants to access the material that’s there. Once again, if the Minister will provide and ensure that there is an assessment done, that there is salvageable material and not just tear it down quickly for the sake of tearing it down.

The old Deh Cho Hall is a huge building. It has lots of materials that can and should be used for the community for other projects. It has some really good lumber in there, once we strip away the boarding and plywood. There is lots of structural lumber. I heard that all the material will be destroyed and I think that’s a shame. I think the community and residents should access it. What can we do to ensure that the community residents can access any salvageable material at the Deh Cho Hall?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the achievement of my constituents who were selected to represent the NWT at the Vancouver Olympics. They are: performers Gerry Antoine, a gifted Dene drummer from Fort Simpson, and Wesley Hardisty, a dynamic fiddler also from Fort Simpson. These men will be giving visitors from around the world a chance to enjoy our fine music from the North.

As well, our traditional arts and fine crafts will be showcased by Karen Cumberland from Fort Liard, who will be displaying the artistry of her birch bark basketry, and John Sabourin from Fort Simpson, who...

The Minister gets it exactly. I’d like the department to provide an assessment and I’d like to see the report, too, that we can salvage some of the material, and to ensure that assessment is being done as they deliberate any future contracts with the demolition of the Deh Cho Hall. Can the Minister assure that assessment about salvageable materials be done as soon as possible?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This coming year we’re looking at taking down the Deh Cho Hall in Fort Simpson. The constituents are wondering about accessing the material that’s there. I’ve heard through the grapevine, I guess, that all the materials are contaminated and cannot be used. I’d like to ask the Minister of Public Works about the ability of residents and the community of salvaging some of the material should the Deh Cho Hall be taken down in Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2008-2009 Human Rights Commission Annual Report and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed the 2008-2009 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission. The committee would like to thank Ms. Mary Pat Short, chair of the Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Therese Boullard, director of human rights, for their appearance before the committee.

Now I will pass the floor over to my colleague Mr. Hawkins to continue with the report.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I just want to respond to some of the opening comments and the challenges of the NWT Housing Corporation. Of course, in the Ministerial statement a few days ago the Minister did mention about the stats in the Nahendeh riding that were one of the highest regions with regard to adequacy in our communities. In plain words, we’ve got lots of really old homes that require repairs. We’ve got lots of overcrowding, especially in Fort Liard. We do have lots of new homes coming up, I’ll grant that there, Mr. Chair, but the challenge is that in Fort Liard we’re not adding...

Thank you very much. Actually, I just wanted to ask about the Western Arctic Leadership Program for 2010-11, Mr. Chair. What is the status and progress?