Tom Beaulieu

Yes, Mr. Chairman. Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Dental Auxiliaries Act. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 2 on May 12, 2010, in Yellowknife. Committee members would like to thank the Minister and her staff for presenting the bill.

The bill amends the Dental Auxiliaries Act to provide that an applicant for registration in the dental hygienist register who is not already registered as a dental hygienist in a province or territory must have both graduated from a program in dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada and...

Can the Minister direct his delivery staff to work with me this summer to keep me in the loop, so I can help deal with some of the concerns related to the project and deal with the issues before they become unmanageable, hopefully? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Minister advise me if these clients have been notified that they are going to receive repairs from the Housing Corporation? Thank you.

Sometimes “inadequate” does not accurately describe the condition of some of these homes I speak of. The majority of these homes are owned by seniors and they are close to being in a dilapidated state. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke in the House about housing programs to seniors in Tu Nedhe and the Minister mentioned that the corporation was doing early delivery for 2011-12 in August and September of 2010, which is good for 2010-11.

Today I would like to speak about the delivery materials and labour for housing projects this summer, not 2011-12. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that the NWT Housing Corporation address serious housing concerns in Tu Nedhe this summer. The corporation must get materials on the barge into Lutselk’e this summer or there will be no other options available...

Can the Minister advise me at what stage these projects currently are? Like by stage, I’m referring to whether the drawing or the materials stage or labour contract stage, just what stage in general. Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I spoke of the urgency of getting house materials on a barge for Lutselk’e and starting some repair projects for elders in Fort Resolution. I’d like to follow up my statement with some questions for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me how many seniors are having their units upgraded in Tu Nedhe this summer? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, in his response to my first question, the Minister indicated that they would be conducting a door-to-door approach in the delivery of housing programs to seniors in Tu Nedhe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Today I once again wish to speak on the issue of housing programs for seniors in Tu Nedhe. Last year we lost three of our oldest residents, plus six or seven other elders who have passed. With each passing there is a tremendous loss of wisdom and experience. I feel I lost a part of history and community knowledge, as I visited regularly with six or seven of these seniors during my visits to Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e.

This presents a loss of 20 to 30 percent of our most respected elders and some of these elders have been waiting for...