Daniel McNeely

I would like to recognize my aunt, Florence Barnaby, a strong advocate for the society and the whole society members and Sheldon Whitlock. I had the privilege of working alongside Sheldon here a few times over the winter road season back home. Also Stephen Jackson, who also gave me a positive tour of the facility of the Avens Centre. Thank you.

Yes, I wanted to point out, Mr. Chair, that the comments around core need are actually on page 368 on the next summary underneath “Transitional Rent Supplement Program.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there is one to be developed here in the near future or upcoming future, could that plan of reduction or reducing expenses be provided to our side there? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In reducing costs and looking at creating more revenues that’s ongoing, is there an internal briefing that could be supplied to the other side for such things as layoffs possibly, reduction of hours, those types of measures to reducing corporate cost?

Okay. I’ll get it right this time.

---Laughter

I’m killing two birds with one stone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, the Premier’s Award went to a constituent in Deline. Her name is Ms. Brenda Baton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to acknowledge Ms. Brenda Baton from Deline, who just received the 2016 Premier’s Award for the NWT ASETS-Aurora College partnership. The Premier’s Award is to recognize outstanding individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond. Brenda works hard and is dedicated to the work she does in her community and for the delivery of that program in the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I also want to recognize the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I recall attending an NWT Seniors’ Society presentation where the chair had mentioned, “to know the future, you first have to know the past.” I thought that was quite a unique statement and I still recall that presentation. Elders are the pillars of our small communities and also our large communities and for the whole NWT for that matter. Earlier I was very encouraged by the presentation of our health Minister on the long-term care plan, a 10-year plan that includes all the communities and without a...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is on page 368 underneath the Transitional Rent Supplement Program. It seems to me there, with the whole issue of core need, we have over the years since the SHAG and HAP programs of years and years ago have created this industry, which is a 100-per-cent liability to this government through the Housing Corporation and then on to this program. With the limited amount of funds that we receive, my suggestion is if a review of that program could happen because there are other support programs, we have heard over the last four months here, to address anti-poverty...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand to rise to say that I will support this motion. On the basis of this challenging issue of housing throughout our 33 communities, I know in listening to previous government statements there, it is a department that is surely putting its best efforts forward based on the resources it has. It goes on a 360 scenario where you come back to where it is, just a lack of resources. It kind of disturbs me to use other industries and multipliers to emphasize the needs for this one and the creation of jobs. Addressing this hidden benefit that we do not recognize in our cash...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can we request if there’s any reduction plans on reducing internal operating O and M costs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Vanthuyne.