Robert C. McLeod

We geared our programs and the amount of dollars that were allocated to each program. A lot of that was based on the money we were getting from the federal government and because that money is not there, then obviously we’ll have to pull back a bit and go back to our historical figures. We use the CARE, the home repair, for example. Because of the investment the federal government has made, we’ve been able to add resource into that particular program. Now that the investment is done, it’s sunsetted, then we go back to our historical figures and we feel that we’ve been able to make some gains...

I would, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is a very strong outdoor component to the Get Active NWT: snowshoeing, Nordic walking, Dene games, cross-country skiing. So there’s a very strong outdoor component to this. Thank you.

We are in the process of reviewing the way we deliver public housing and the way we calculate rents and that. I can assure the Member that this is one that we will continue to have a look at.

When we talk about the maximum rent, there is a maximum rent. There is the economic rent and very few people in the Northwest Territories pay the full economic rent, as the Member points out, because of the lack of work. Even those that are working, very few pay maximum rent. I think we have maybe 12 across the Northwest Territories out of 2,400 units that we deliver. I think that’s a pretty good...

Mr. Chairman, we don’t have that information with us at the moment. I will get the information and pass it on to the Member and other Members if they wish to receive the same information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We respect the work that the volunteer firefighters have to do, it is why we have asked for $300,000, to make sure that they are properly trained and we also respect the fact that the communities realize the importance of providing the gear, which should be a well-trained volunteer fire department. Some communities have identified it. Our plan is to use all the $300,000 towards training and make sure all the volunteer firefighters are trained up properly. Thank you.

I will commit to the Member that we’ll prepare a briefing note with an update and status. I think there are approximately 25 units in Deline that are being renovated right now. So I’ll get an update and a status and expected finish date and then he can relay that on to his constituents. Thank you.

We don’t have that level of detail here, but I will commit to the Member that we’ll get the information that he’s requesting.

Mr. Chairman, we can share that with committee. Thank you.

There are many things taken into consideration when they calculate the rent scale and a lot of things are factored into coming up with the amount of rent that the folks pay in the communities. I do know that there is a bit of a discrepancy at the regional level. That’s one of the reasons the Housing Corporation is entertaining the idea of going to a regional rent scale. That would benefit some of the smaller communities that are maybe a few minutes away from some of the larger communities and the rent calculated in those communities is quite different.