Kevin A. Menicoche

Yes, I just wanted to raise with the Minister that there is a desire out there, maybe create, like I said, maybe a line item that can help our aboriginal communities. Basically we are off-reserve housing and just keep that in mind for any discussions or any new announcements on federal initiatives and how they plan to role that out. I know somehow our government should be able to make the case to the federal government that there must be a way in order for us to access those additional dollars that will certainly go a long ways in helping us out there, Mr. Chairman. Thanks.

Hopefully, we can get around some of these issues, because that’s something that I know in the community of Fort Liard are challenged with. That annually, teachers are hired in the springtime but they show up in the fall time only to find out they’re having challenges with the units that are available. It’s something that I would urge the Minister and government to try to put in place and even create some units this coming summer. Once again, I am glad to see that line item there. Maybe I can shift gears here a little bit.

I know that Mr. Yakeleya was talking specifically about urban native...

Thank you very much there, Mr. Chair. I, too, will be voting in favour of this motion. I think the key thing for the writing of the motion is to evaluate how it works. Much has been said that other jurisdictions allow it and the time that we are looking at is not in the formal sitting of the House. It’s during Committee of the Whole, which is considered as the Lower House in our Assembly and a little bit more informal. We can loosen our ties, sit without our jackets, it’s not really that formal. So it goes with the communication devices as well, because I, for one, often find that I write a...

I’d like to thank the Minister for that answer. As well, in terms of should we get to the feasibility or planning stages, are all the funding and resources available only in his department or are there other resources in other departments that can be accessed to move this proposal forward? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize Chief Isadore Simon from Jean Marie River who is in the gallery here today. I’m very happy to see him. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly. As well, with him is Ms. Nina Firth-Larsson of Heating Technologies Limited. Her company is assisting the chief in the biomass proposal. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was just looking under Fort Simpson. We have lots of major retrofits and they are probably very needed mid-life retrofits, et cetera. But in our infrastructure acquisition plan, I don’t see one new unit, so maybe if the Minister can address the reason for it. Is there an additional plan or strategy that they have in terms of adding additional units to Fort Simpson? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I would like to continue with NWT Housing Corporation as well as the Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Thank you.

I was just wondering, I am sure that the Minister and his staff have looked at the federal budget when they talk about aboriginal housing. I don’t know if it’s specifically mentioned in this new budget about off-reserve housing at all or how it impacts our Territory. Maybe I will get the Minister’s thoughts on that. Is there ability for us to access any aboriginal dollars from the federal government or does it have to come, or is it our only reserve? It might be just Hay River and, of course, Fort Smith. Are they the only ones that have the ability to access any of those federal dollars?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I know that much has been said about providing housing for staff. It’s something that’s been pressing for our regions and communities for many, many years and I’m pleased to see that there’s a line item in here. I’m just curious, Mr. Chair, about how do people access this funding. Is it already designated for the different regions and communities that are out there or is it proposal-specific? I understand that the...I think it might have been the education council in Nahendeh or the Dehcho education council may have had a specific proposal. I don’t know if they...

I would also ask the Minister at this time for any assistance accessing any federal dollars that can be used for this fund. I’m not too sure what specifically is in the federal budget but I’m sure that his staff can assist us in identifying the exact program that may fit this proposal. Thank you.