Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick question on whether or not the department has a policy on lease versus build.

Mr. Speaker, this is fairly specific. I am talking about hunters. The high cost of gas is having a huge impact on many families, and the traditional practice of harvesting traditional foods from the land is being threatened. Would the Minister commit to looking at how the department can assist subsistence hunters to offset the high cost of gasoline as soon as possible?

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I mentioned that houses built under the current allocating system in the communities are now being sold in the private market, because there are no people in need in the community who fit the program. Can the Minister ensure that the allocation of money and proceeds from sales of any units, NWTHC units, anywhere in the Northwest Territories are allocated on a system that is agreed to on this side of the House — in other words, using the percentage system, the aforementioned system?

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise this House exactly when the next needs survey will be completed? When can we advise communities of the results of the next needs survey?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Today I’d like to talk about housing policies, the changes needed to housing policies and how the window for accessing housing policies is too narrow for non-market communities.

All too often my constituents fail to meet criteria for housing programs. The NWT Housing Corporation is trying to make people eligible for programs as opposed to making programs that fit the people. We have empty units now that are being sold on the open market. The NWT Housing Corporation has failed my constituents by putting houses in place for people in need...

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

Mr. Speaker, since being elected MLA for Tu Nedhe in October of last year, I have worked with numerous Ministers and both communities to get a clear picture of the infrastructure needs of Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. After learning that no project has been allocated to Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e over the next three years, or the balance of this 16th Assembly, I’m now pursuing a mandate to increase infrastructure dollars in my riding.

According to the plan, the community of Fort Resolution will receive zero dollars, while Lutselk’e...

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister conduct a meeting with me and each of the communities to discuss the development of the new community specific infrastructure strategy? There seems to be a vast difference between the smaller and the larger communities as far as community infrastructure goes. If the Minister could commit to that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I talked about infrastructure needs in the Tu Nedhe riding. I talked about how there seems to be a lack of attention to the riding. As a follow-up to my statement I’d like to ask questions of the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, it’s been three years since the implementation of the New Deal. Can the Minister provide me with a detailed evaluation of how the New Deal has been working in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. It seems that my riding is a low priority when compared to other communities. I have a highway that is below standard. I have dust problems in both communities, drainage problems and much needed chipsealing in both communities and much, much more.

In this respect the government is failing my communities. The goal is simple, Mr. Speaker: to increase infrastructure dollars in the Tu Nedhe riding. The solution is a cooperative approach with the Minister, the communities and myself to develop a new infrastructure plan for each community. Later today I...

Will the Minister commit to reviewing the situation and working with other Ministers to see what can be done as far as the whole deferred maintenance for community infrastructure?