Robert C. McLeod

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

---Laughter

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.

Mr. Speaker, I’d have to follow up on that and see if there was some contact made. I’m assuming there was, because I know it was an issue and this was quite a while ago that the issue was raised. So I’ll commit to the Member that I will follow up on that and get the information to him and the new council in Fort Simpson as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is always willing to work with the communities and at the community’s request, we’ll go into the community and work with them in identifying some of their projects, and some of the financing options, and some of the technical options that are available to them. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, this is not a process that any LHO likes to be a part of. It is often the last straw when it comes to this particular process. I know from history, Mr. Speaker, that they are always willing to work with the tenants of the housing authority. At the same time, we need a commitment from the tenant that if there is a ruling, that they will abide by that ruling and work out a repayment plan, then Housing is usually pretty accepting of that.

It is a huge cost, obviously, if they have to put them up in a shelter or move them to shelter, but there is also a very huge cost in the amount of...

Mr. Speaker, Housing doesn’t choose the time of year when people are evicted. It is not something that Housing enjoys doing, but there is a process that has to be followed. Part of the process involves paying your rent or making arrangements to pay your rent, coming up with a payment plan. Usually they are pretty accepting of any tenant that wants to come forward and work out a payment plan and then they will have the opportunity to stay in their unit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.