Robert C. McLeod

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, we are always happy to meet with some of the residents that have some issues with some concerns with the roofs. The technical staff will take the lead in determining that if repairs are required, and then they will also estimate the cost of repairs, and then they will ensure the programs advisor is notified. The programs advisor will then meet with the clients and, if eligible, there will be some financial assistance. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some concerns and there were some issues with some of these roofs. They were built in accordance with the National Building Code of the day, but we have been hearing some issues with the design of the roofs. Thank you.

We’re always trying to find ways to meet the needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories and this is one of the programs.

I’d advise the Member that the basic shelter concept policy is one that we’re renewing right now and to see if some of these programs would be able to fit under there. It’s a discussion that I would need to have. The Housing programs evaluation will be done very shortly and once we see the results of that evaluation, then we’d need to make some adjustment, if the will is there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Elders Home Program was about one of 17 different programs that were offered by the NWT Housing Corporation and in order to streamline the process, every one of the initiatives that was offered at the time would still fit under one of the four Housing Choices that we have now. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide Members with details on the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay.

The ancient Olympic flame has been transported from its home in Greece and lit for the first time on Canadian soil since the winter of 1988 when the games were held in Calgary, Alberta.

It began its 45,000 kilometre Canadian journey in Victoria, British Columbia, and today makes its journey north to Inuvik, home to some of our greatest athletes and former Olympians.

On November 5th, the torch will arrive in Yellowknife from Nunavut. In keeping with time-honoured traditions, it will be...

Mr. Speaker, we will be pleased to provide the technical report. I have already outlined a bit of the process we will be going through with identification and doing an estimate of the work required on some of these roofs. If the clients qualify, they will be offered some financial assistance to repair the roofs. This initiative is actually going to be a priority repair for clients who apply for homeownership repair programs. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of the problem and the technical aspect as to why they had some issues with these roofs. Unlike other roof repair programs, the corporation has actually taken the lead in identifying some of the HAP houses with these roof problems. Thank you.