Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our 2020-2021 operations budget has excluded continued funding for the NWT friendship centres. I understand the funds had a sunset date, but, like everything else, times and circumstances change, and we have to adapt. We are dealing with increased negative social influences while we see employment opportunities disappearing within a faltering economy.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT friendship centres secure and administer approximately $6 million annually in funding by leveraging the small amounts they receive from territorial, federal, and Indigenous governments. The centres...

Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to technical studies, I know the Housing Corporation is always looking at ways to improve efficiencies with respect to heat loss and that type of thing. I guess you do studies, as well, to see the cost of doing nothing versus the cost of making changes. Is there a big cost savings between doing nothing and just leaving houses as they are? Because I look at it like we've got a cost of maybe, if you have some high-end equipment and you have to fly people in from Yellowknife to fix it, and on, and on, there is that cost associated, as well, so I'm always...

Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to the strategic and operational direction, has the department put something together in writing with respect to that strategic and operational planning? Is there a plan in place, or are they working on something? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just looking at page 365 where it states that the executive there manages the implementation of the government's direction related to housing services, can the Minister tell me what is the direction she received from this government with respect to delivery of services? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to go to contract services. I understand the Housing Corporation uses a number of contract outfits to do the work on the units. I also understand that there is something in place, a suspension list for some of the contractors who do work for the Housing Corporation. I am just wondering what the criteria is to get on that suspension list. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I take it it's based on age, so it's a good thing they're not looking after health. Another question I have is: you mentioned selling material within the communities; has the department talked to local businesses to see if they were able to take that on? Thank you, Madam Chair.

That answers the question. The other thing is that I want to tell you right now, you wanted to hear it, Hay River needs a shelter, an emergency shelter for men during the winter. So you heard it from me, and I hear it from the people in town. So now you know, and hopefully we'll get somebody to approach you; we already did once, and hopefully we'll hear back. I just wanted to make that point.

The next thing here is, I guess, as Regular MLAs here, most issues we hear about have to deal with either housing or health. Those are the complaints we get. So, with the number of complaints, do you guys...

Thank you, Madam Chair. If I'm in the wrong section or off topic, please let me know. With respect to the MMIs on page 363, we are looking at a revised estimate for 2019-2020. It went up in 2020-2021 by $2 million. Can you elaborate on that? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm pleased to hear that we're discussing homelessness today, and the need for emergency shelters, but I guess I'm kind of perplexed on exactly what an emergency shelter is. Because I look in the communities, and you've got people living on the street when it's minus 40, and the government, the department wants plans provided to them saying that they need assistance. The problem is that a lot of the non-profit groups that usually look after social issues and social concerns and homelessness are taxed as it is, and they don't have the people in place to sit down and do...

Now I understand there is no money, but there could be staff. My question is: how would an organization address homelessness in a community with support from you as the Minister responsible for Homelessness when a plan of action is needed to be developed in that community to address homelessness?