Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as I know there is not an actual policy in place, but the Member is right, there are times when some common sense decisions need to be made. As a corporation, we are going to have to take steps to ensure that the LHOs have the authority to make decisions like this when the need arises and not make it as widespread as the Member mentioned. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to this point where there is an eviction notice, usually it goes through a rental officer. There is a local board and these tenants could speak to the local board about trying to work out a plan. When it comes to the rental officers, usually it is the last part of the process. When it is an eviction, that is when it is usually a court ordered eviction. But before it gets to that point, there is always an opportunity for them to speak to the board and try to get the board to reverse the process if they come up with a repayment plan. But what they would need first and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The termination and eviction process is a fairly long one. It is not one that they just decided to do on the spur of the moment. They usually give the tenants an opportunity to come up with a repayment plan. Sometimes it is all the local housing authorities are looking for, is just a commitment from the tenants to come up with a repayment plan. Eviction is basically the last notice, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the CRTC ruling says that they would have to…it doesn’t obligate the phone companies from implementing cell phone service in every community. That was not the ruling of CRTC. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will let him answer.

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Mr. Speaker, in our attempt to treat everybody across the Northwest Territories fairly, I think sometimes we are being portrayed as treating some unfairly and I don’t think that’s fair, Mr. Speaker. They have had a resolution passed by the NWTAC, as far as 911 goes. Seven of the 33 communities had originally wanted to get into the program, had the capacity to get into the 911 service. But, Mr. Speaker, since then, there has been a couple of communities that have decided that it’s not in their best interest right now to take part in the...

The Housing Corporation is committed to try and help as many people in core need as possible. There is always the criteria that they have to meet to get into some of the programs, but we are always looking to address the issue of working with those that are the highest need. Thank you.

I would have to confirm those numbers, because my information might be a little different than the Member’s. Again, Mr. Speaker, this government made a conscientious decision to devolve a lot of responsibilities to the communities as something the communities wanted. So if they decided the implementation of 911 is a priority of theirs, then they would have the financial ability to do so. If we start funding infrastructure projects, then we’ve defeated the whole purpose of capital formula funding and then we may as well go back to the old corporate formula funding where we decide what’s best...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Housing does do what it can to assist the seniors. There is the Senior Preventative Maintenance Program out there. The seniors would apply and once they are into the system, they are given the system every year. This includes the servicing of their furnace and that. We are always trying to address the needs of our seniors. Thank you.

Everything is affordable with some input from the government and, again, it would be quite, is my understanding, an expensive undertaking for the company to provide service throughout the Northwest Territories and how long it would actually take. So, Mr. Speaker, I continue to go back to the fact that -- and I know Members are tired of hearing it – if it’s a priority for the communities, then they do have the funds to help bring this priority about. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the people would contact the regional superintendents of MACA in the five regions that are out there. They, in turn, will discuss with their staff and see who would be going into the community to assist the community with their proposal. Thank you.