Robert C. McLeod

This is a concern that we’ve heard from some of the Members on how we deliver programs to the seniors and I had committed earlier to the Member for Tu Nedhe that we do have district staff going into the community. If there were seniors that needed our staff to go see them and help them fill out the applications and also with translation, they’d be willing to do that. So we continue to refine how we deliver our programs for seniors because we do want our seniors to have a nice, comfortable lifestyle and if there is anything we can do to assist with that, that’s something we are constantly...

All those that wish to enter the program through the Housing Corporation are encouraged to apply. There is a process that we have to go through as far as addressing policy changes. So I would encourage those that may know that they’re in arrears, to apply and then the district offices will follow the process as it’s laid out. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to provide an update to Members and the general public on our decision to return responsibility for public housing rent assessments to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, my first priority after I was appointed Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation was to examine the issue of the public housing rental subsidy and explore ways to find resolution to the challenges that the program’s administration was causing for public housing tenants and front-line staff.

On January 28, 2010, following a review of the issues and examination...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this particular case there were decisions that were made. The constituent had had appeals on the decision. They went through the review process and recommendations have been made. I am not sure if they have been communicated to the constituent yet. Until I know for certain that they are, I have no comment on it any further. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I will make some inquiries to be sure, for the Member’s comfort, that all processes were followed. I will commit to the Member that I will follow up on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is not the corporation’s doing. This is something that is the local housing authority. We have delegated the authority for these types of decisions to the housing authority. I will commit to the Member that I will review it. However, we tend to let the housing authorities tend to their business and only will get involved if we feel that there is a need for us to do so. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, our staff has been in the community on a regular basis working with the community. They will continue to do so until they come up with a plan to resolve all their financial issues. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we are concerned with the particular community the Member has mentioned. Our role is we have been asked by the community, the new community council, to come in and work with them on coming up with a plan to address all the financial issues that they are dealing with right now. They have asked us to come in and we have complied. Our officials are working closely with them right now to resolve some of the outstanding issues. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, that is a very good concern. It is something I will commit to the Member that I will speak to the commission about trying to address and maybe have an alternate medical person that we can get medical advice from when a person is not there. That way, we won’t have a delay in processing some of the claims. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, there is a worker’s advisor that works closely with the workers and gets some information on their case. They do try and get some legal opinions for the injured workers. Communication has improved. WSCC has gone a long way in trying to improve the services that they offer to clients. We have 86 percent of our injured workers that are paid within the first 20 days but there is still the other 14 percent that we need to be concerned about. We are taking steps to address that and improve how we offer services to clients. Thank you.