Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just need a clarification here in these main estimates there. It says that we have approximately 2,800 rental units in 33 communities, but now I am hearing you say it is 24, so which is correct? In the document here that we are looking at, it says 2,800: "It operates approximately 2,800 rental housing units in 33 communities." Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank you, and I appreciate the commitment from the Minister. Can that information be public once we find out about it? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to thank the Minister for that commitment. I very much hope a less cumbersome process can be arranged. Could I also receive a commitment that both the current and any new process be consistently applied across all the departments and regions?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess this has been something I've been asking for the last two or three years, anyway: can the Minister provide an update on the RCMP housing projects? Has any construction begun, and what's the status of the work? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I talked about in my Member's statement, concerns have been brought to my attention by employees of the GNWT regarding what type of leave they may access while travelling and attending their counselling sessions to the federally funded Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program. Can the Minister of Finance please provide or confirm what type of leave is available to GNWT employees when accessing this vital service? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am talking about power, but I think I understand correctly. Everybody is lumped in together, and it was over a three-year period. Did the corporation send out letters to the tenants saying that this is what is going to be happening? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the federal programs that came about in response to the recommendations made through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program.

Through this program, residential school survivors and their families are able to access mental health counselling as delivered by professionals, Health Canada-approved counsellors, at no cost. Of course, any of the approved counsellors are in Yellowknife and my constituents have to travel for these appointments, which Health Canada also pays for.

Where it becomes...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank Mr. Hagen and the Minister for that. I understand it's a complicated issue, and so I just wanted to make sure I understood, because some organizations have said they do not want to do it. Some have come up with some really creative solutions, so I am just trying to understand how the department was working towards making sure things are dealt with properly. I am content with the answers I received here today. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's just going to be a couple of quick questions in regard to increasing power to seniors. Can the Minister please explain why seniors are seeing this increase in public housing? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. If I understand Mr. Hagen correctly, then, the Indigenous groups, land claim groups, or the First Nations groups, the regional councils, they have agreed to work with us and are moving forward, even though it may be slow, but they have agreed to work with us on this? Thank you, Mr. Chair.