Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hay River, as with other communities, is in a housing crisis, more so with the closure of the Mackenzie Place high-rise due to the fire over one-and-a-half years ago. Fingers were pointed, and blame was placed. Now, the person responsible for causing the fire has been long forgotten. The real losers have been those that were displaced overnight, some of whom moved away from the NWT, while others were lucky enough to find accommodation. Some continue to couch-surf, and others find themselves homeless. Although the finger-pointing is ongoing today, my concern is not who...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to start off with the co-investment fund and the Rapid Rehousing Program. We talk about going to FMB and finding the 25 percent, but I think we should also have a plan B, which is go to the federal government and ask that that 25 percent be waived and that the funding is 100 percent because there might be some appetite, I understand, for that. I suspect you guys have already done that or are in the process of doing that. Just so that we have some options, there, because I don't want to see that money disappear. The way we're going, it's going to lapse, and...

Thank you, Madam Chair. It's interesting. I do not oppose the idea. That is for sure. We are always looking for cheaper power in the south. When I read the news, I see that the Power Corporation, we're spilling water over the dam and we've got surplus power, but we are not utilizing it in the communities to promote manufacturing or to promote electric heat. I understand that the reason that we are doing this, possibly, is because we are waiting for the big mine to show up around Pine Point or wherever. We seem to be waiting for that big white elephant, and it never seems to come, when we could...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. Those are the numbers I have, as well. I am pleased to hear that the Minister will consider talking to private sector and try to include them in on this, as well. The next thing I want to go to here is the transmission line, the Fort Providence transmission line. I would ask the Minister: where is that line going to start, and where is it going to end? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to go to fuel storage capacity with respect to Hay River. I understand why we are looking at this, but the question I have is: why is the government doing this when we actually have a private sector in Hay River that could possibly handle it? Even in Enterprise, there is an industrial yard going in there, which I understand they have rail car service there and they may have extra or be looking at fuel storage there. I am just wondering if the government has actually talked to that proponent and really looked at this issue because it's going to add...

That answer is very encouraging. I'm glad to hear the word "expedited," as well, and I look forward to hearing the results. The other issue, now, with the Mackenzie Place high-rise is that there is potential for the power to be turned off next week, and it's going to have an effect on the emergency lighting, which sits on top of it and gives some indication to aircraft that there is a building there that is kind of high. What I'd like to ask the Premier is if she or one of her departments will commit the appropriate department to keep the power on in the high-rise to ensure aircraft and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I talked about housing for Hay River, and I've got questions for the Premier. I'm going to be a realist here because I am not holding my breath on the Housing Corporation coming up with any solutions for the community. We have a solution in front of us. We've got 50, 60, 70 apartments and up to 122, and for some reason, this government just does not see it. I don't want to hear that anybody has died in Hay River because of exposure or freezing to death, as well, so that's why I keep after this subject. I would like to ask the Premier to confirm: what departments are...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Earlier today, the Premier made the comment "what is a life worth," and when we are talking about housing, it's life and death for some people. We all know that. When you go in the communities, whether it's Yellowknife, Hay River, Paulatuk, it does not matter, there are people who may be living on the street. When it's 40 or 50 below outside, we know what could happen. I think, when we are talking about this, that is something we have to keep in mind, as well: what is a life worth? I am reminded of that every day in Hay River when I am there, so it's important.

I want to...

Thank you, Madam Chair. When I look at it, I am looking how to reduce the cost for the people in the community. This is one way to do it. It has been sitting there for years, year after year after year, and nothing gets done. Now, it's the best project. It is a good project. There is no doubt about that. I just hope that we utilize it in the right way.

I would like to go to talk about the ferry system. I know in Fort Simpson they were looking at the potential for a bridge. I am just wondering what involvement the government has in this, or is it just the community of Fort Simpson that was...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Knowing that Northland Utilities actually provides the power to Kakisa and to Fort Providence, what involvement will they have in that line, or is this line going to be part of the potential takeover when we talk about the Hay River franchise? Are we also looking at Kakisa's and Fort Providence's potential takeover by the Power Corporation? Thank you, Madam Chair.