Robert Villeneuve

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that, later on today, we will be reviewing the NWT Housing Corporation’s budget in detail. I would just like to make a few comments about the housing situation and, in particular, my constituency of Tu Nedhe. In general, many of my constituents still have some long-outstanding housing issues that they simply refused to let this department sweep under the rug. These situations and predicaments have hindered improvements to lifestyles, cause undo hardship and resulted in many family breakdowns within my constituency.

Mr. Speaker, these things the...

Thank you. I understand the plight of the government on that side. I think the only way to overcome that is to actually, you know, they have to have a project officer at every site either on a day-to-day basis or on a week-to-week basis to oversee all these projects. I know that even when you get a proficient contract in there, somebody in good standing with the Housing Corp to go in and do the work, but if nobody's there to look over their shoulder to make sure that the work is being done according to standards, even they will take shortcuts and cut back on the amount of materials that...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess just to follow up on that, what percentage of 118 units is going to be public replacement units? That’s just for clarification.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just another scenario, I guess. If a person changes, if their household income is changed and then they reapply for the housing subsidy program but they miss the deadline, the rent goes to the maximum amount of rent, then it goes back to them. Is there an avenue for adjusting and how long does that go back? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment just to talk about the public housing rental subsidies that are going to be coming into effect April 1, 2006. I just wanted to ask the Minister, now that the clients have to apply on a month-by-month basis for this housing subsidy with their income support worker and bring it to the LHO, how is that going to change the income security officers' working relationship with the clients that are applying for housing subsidies. Is that going to affect any of that interpersonal relationship with the...

Mahsi, Members. I have a written question for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Is there a 24-hour suicide helpline available for all communities in the NWT?

Are professionals available on a 24-hour basis for people who are suffering from mental illness or severe depression? Are doctors available to answer these distress calls?

Do people in our remote communities, who cannot and will not discuss their mental problems with their community health workers or use the helpline, have other options available that the Department of Health and Social Services can offer?

If so, is there...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today will be about this government's growing public service again. Mr. Speaker, I know this public service has many people who do very good work and are dedicated to making improvements in the lives of many northerners, be it in our large or small centres. Sadly though, Mr. Speaker, I can also stipulate with conviction that there are many who just don't give a hoot.

Some of the main reasons why I raise this issue is because of the many calls I receive from many of the smaller communities. Issues such as long-outstanding land issues; issues of...

Mr. Speaker, I seek the House's permission to return to item 7, written questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to raise a similar issue to what I did yesterday in my statement about the dogmatic, out-of-touch, yet sumptuous bureaucratic system located in Yellowknife, and why this 15th Assembly has to seriously consider restructuring and perhaps downsizing by way of decentralizing or relocating various components so that we can all say with confidence that our Legislative Assembly is actually in control and can change and influence its own bureaucratic bulldog.

Mr. Speaker, I feel that we are losing ground on retaining this control of this once reputable and...

Again, I want to recognize my mother in the gallery as a Native Women’s Association of the NWT. Thank you.

---Applause