Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government recognizes that improving the quality of housing services provided to residents will help reduce the cost of living in communities across the Northwest Territories. Today I would like to provide an update to Members on the work of the NWTHC and ECE in improving the assessment process for public housing rents, specifically our success in completing reassessments for tenants who wish to have a review of the rent assessed to them in recent years.

The decrease in rent assessments at that time can largely be attributed to an increase in incomplete applications...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When putting together this act we depended a lot on feedback we got from standing committee, and standing committee had moved a motion to include this and we respect that so we’ve included it. Therefore, we will be voting against the motion. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Norman Wells Land Corporation made application for the property and we entered into an agreement with them. The Town has had opportunities to voice their concerns with the deal. They have done so on a number of occasions. I pointed out to the Member before, I had personally met with council and my senior officials have met with council, so they have had ample opportunity to voice their concerns on the deal that was made with the Norman Wells Land Corporation on acquiring the Commissioner’s Land. Thank you.

I would, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mr. Mike Aumond, deputy minister of MACA, Laura Gareau is the director of corporate affairs for MACA, and we have Kelly McLaughlin, legislative counsel, Department of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act.

This bill makes one technical amendment to the Fire Prevention Act to enable the fire marshal to act where an owner or occupant of a structure cannot be identified.

The Department of Justice legal counsel recommended that MACA amend the act so that it would be clear that the fire marshal can apply to the Supreme Court for permission to take corrective action where the fire marshal cannot establish the identity of the owner or occupant of the building. There are some additional minor amendments that...

Mr. Speaker, that is one of the reasons that I had to go into the seniors’ homes and bring along interpreters so they can best understand the options and what they may be getting into. That would be a good opportunity to make sure all the proper documentation is placed so they can have a complete application that doesn’t hurt their chances of getting assistance.

I can say again that we do provide a lot of assistance for seniors. Under the old program, it was a fixed 10-year forgivable period so they had to wait 10 years before they were able to apply again. Now, with the new program, it can be...

Mr. Speaker, we give opportunities for seniors to contact us and in the response to some questions on the floor last year I did commit to the Member that those seniors that wanted us to come to their units, we would come and we would provide an interpreter so they can best understand the programs and some of the options that are available to them. As far as going door to door, again, we like to work with the seniors and obviously we want to help them, and if the seniors feel like they are in need of work on their home, then we give them the opportunity to contact us and we go to their homes...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supporting a healthy and sustainable volunteer sector is one of the priorities that the government is addressing as part of the Building Our Future Initiative. Today I am pleased to advise Members on an important opportunity to recognize the significant contribution volunteers make to all our communities.

Launched in 1991, the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program celebrates exceptional volunteer service in the Northwest Territories. In the 21 years the program has been operating, over 700 individuals and groups have been nominated for awards by others from their...

The NWTAC was our conduit to the smaller communities and we consult with them and they, in turn, consulted with their member communities on some of the proposed amendments. Thank you.