Bob Zimmer

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, the answer is $248 million for 824 units in the territories. How many have been completed? According to my own numbers, because the minister could not answer, for Nunavut, 101 are listed as completed; in the Northwest Territories, 39 are listed as completed; in Yukon, zero were listed as completed, but we found that a triplex had been completed. Therefore, there are 143 listed as completed of 824 units, where thousands are needed.

Would you say you have done a great job getting the thousands of houses needed built in the territories?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, these are basic questions. We have 10 provinces and three territories, and the minister should know them. It is 32.9% in Nunavut. The need is over 3,000 homes and the shortage is very clear.

We have heard many announcements that the minister and the government have made. However, what makes matters worse is that millions of dollars are getting spent and houses are not necessarily getting built. We are seeing examples in the territories, where this is profound.

I asked the Minister of Northern Affairs about certain houses getting built in the territories, and he said he did not know. I then precisely asked the ministry and officials said they did not know because they do not track the information. It is pretty hard to hit a target that they do not even monitor.

How many mixed low-income units were promised according to this minister's own document, the “Northern Housing Report”?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, the minister does not know the answer. The answer is 13.2% in Northwest Territories.

What is the core housing need in Nunavut?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, it is 13.1% in the Yukon.

What is the core housing need in Northwest Territories?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, that was an easy one. It means when a household cannot afford suitable and adequate housing in their community.

This leads to my next question: What is the core housing need in the Yukon?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, according to the Nunatsiaq News, it is $706,950 for an average house. That is incredible.

What is the definition of “core housing need” according to the minister's own department?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, it is $500,000, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.

By the way, when the member gets up and does a point of order, it is code that the minister needs to read some of his notes. That is why he does it.

What is the average home price in Iqaluit, Nunavut?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, the question remains. Will the minister answer it?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, for anybody watching, whenever the minister does not answer a question, he means he does not know.

What is the average home price in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories?

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2023]

Madam Chair, he is to answer the questions and not offer them. It is $2,000 per month.

What is the average home price in the Yukon?