Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Very progressive in terms of ensuring the capacity is made and, you know, just to position First Nations in the spirit of self-government and land claims to take on the responsibility of administering their own housing programs. The Minister states that these agreements are flexible in terms of ensuring that both parties can come to some broad terms and principles, and I just wanted to understand: where is the federal government in these agreements? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I was trying to come to an understanding in terms of where it could be appropriate to ask this question, but I understand in the section community housing services within the department I think the Minister had stated that there are working agreements with Aboriginal governments and they are continuing on building that positive working relationship. So if it is okay, I would like to ask the question in that respect. The simple question is: whether it be Inuvialuits or with the K'atlodeeche First Nations, how are these agreements contemplated? As I said earlier...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, 353.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is encouraging. The other aspect to this question is again a challenge in terms of administering at least accountable measures of collecting people's rent. Some communities do not have LHOs, and again, I think in Kakisa there has been some movement towards, perhaps, a model of an LHO that could be established, and whether the Minister is maybe waiting upon the initiative of the band to enter into dialogue on that matter? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. [English translation not provided.] I just wanted to provide some comments, but I think my colleague indicated the obvious, that this is a big department and it is fairly contentious because you are basically dealing with people's castles, if they have access to them, at the community level. It is a very difficult portfolio, and I applaud the Minister for leading the way to this point. You know, we look forward to the continued working relationship at this level but, most importantly, at the community level. Just some comments I wanted to make: as I said, housing is a big...

It's good that the Minister is offering to meet with the Hay River Dene Band; I hope that happens. In that meeting, perhaps the Minister could explain what new actions will the corporation take to change its working relationship with the Hay River Dene Band, such as regular meetings and a subsequent action plan or the development of assured projects?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no further question. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. What I seek is, the urgency of the situation of the housing matter on the reserves, I am seeking some action. I am seeking a commitment from this Minister, also, at the same time, reassurance to the K'atlodeeche First Nation members that the seniormost official, the Minister of the Housing Corporation, will do something.

You know, thus far, in terms of this side of the House, every time we have raised our concerns and issues on behalf of our constituents, what we have...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I think it gives me a clear picture or understanding of how this is being work done. Recently, there was an effort, as I stated in my opening comments, to tackle and address the homelessness issue. One particular community, there was an organized body and organized effort to try, at least, to work in cooperation with the Housing Corporation to address fundamentally the homelessness issue, and to try and bring some resolve to the matter. I understood, then, there has been a part from the program supplements that have been successfully delivered in communities. I just...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.