Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have some questions for the Minister of housing today on radon as well.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister for housing outline when it started its radon testing program and in what communities and what mitigation efforts it has taken to date for public housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing NWT began its current radon testing program in 2024 with discussion with the LHOs to identify units that would meet the criteria for potential radon exposure. Housing NWT continues to conduct radon tests for housing units that meet the applicable testing criteria for radon risk; for example, housing units with a basement or a sealed crawl space. To date, Housing NWT has completed radon testing in the following communities:
Gameti,
Lutselk'e,
Whati,
Yellowknife,
N'dilo,
Dettah,
Norman Wells,
Fort Smith, and
Hay River.
70 of the 76 tests conducted to date had acceptable risk, and six of these tests have been retested.
For the six units being retested, LHO maintenance staff have inspected the six units to ensure there are no noticeable cracks, leaks, open sumps, and pipe ducting penetration. These units will be continue to be closely monitored while the retesting is being completed within the next three months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I may be asking the Minister to talk about future planning, and maybe it's not fully addressed yet, but can the Minister explain if she has any steps should mitigation be required and how she will go about hiring contractors or if the LHOs will be the ones who take care of mitigation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing NWT has not had a need to date to contract external specialists to mitigate elevated radon in public housing units. Should external contractors be required, Housing NWT will adhere to the GNWT's procurement policies and secure services of contractors certified in this area.
As noted previously, Housing NWT has tested 76 units, and I am pleased 70 of the 76 conducted confirmed acceptable radon levels in these homes. This testing will involve all applicable units being operated within the public housing program, including both stick and modular. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Final supplementary. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that. I already have a radon testing and mitigation specialist in my email inbox from my conversations with the Minister of MACA. So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister discuss lessons learned with this project with Housing NWT with the Minister of MACA who can then share this information at the NWTAC bear pit and with LGANT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, Housing NWT recognizes the importance of the continued radon testing for health and safety for our tenants. Housing NWT would be pleased to share best practices and lessons learned with NWTAC and LGANT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
