This is page numbers 2439 - 2492 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was housing.

Topics

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will have Vice-President Jim Martin respond.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Martin.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Martin

Thank you, Madam Chair. Back in 2018, the Housing Corporation worked, actually, with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and brought forward a joint submission to transfer funding for overnight shelters to the Housing Corporation. There were five shelters included in that transfer. That's what that line item represents, that $2.6 million. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Just a quick comment. This homelessness issue affects all of us from all over the North. We see it downtown here. It makes me sad. I went down to get one of my suits altered, and I saw right downstairs in the middle of the day, an unfortunate individual with nowhere to go who was startled. They shot up and looked at me. I'm like, "Oh, I didn't mean to scare you." It just made me really think: how are we doing as people in the North, to look after our most vulnerable? It really just tears my heartstrings to see that. In terms of a line item here, I will start off with the transitional rent supplement program. This line item here appears to be sunsetted. Can the Minister just explain that line item on page 380?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. We have a change in programming that we are engaging with the federal government. I will have Vice-President Jim Martin respond. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Martin.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Martin

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. As the Minister mentioned, this program is an NWT Housing Corporation-administered program. It is set to sunset effective April 1, 2021. By that time, we continue to work very closely with the federal government to plan for the implementation of a new program, the Canada Housing Benefit, which is a light program, but it's a federally administered program, and it will replace the target client group that we have there to support them through that means. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Martin. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just so I get this right, is there going to be a gap in funding here between the sunset of this and when the federal money kicks in? Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. No, there won't be. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

That's good. I had some questions about the homelessness review. This will fall under homelessness initiatives. Can the Minister just give us an update on where this is sitting? I think the last we were told is there would be some sort of update in the spring of this year. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, clarify.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

March 10th, 2021

Page 2459

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

My apologies. For the GNWT homelessness review. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will have President Tom Williams respond. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Williams.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Williams

Thank you, Madam Chair. In terms of the homelessness review, we are working on finalizing the document. Our plan is to table it in the House here and do a presentation to committee. When we talk about, as MLA Johnson mentioned, having pots of money in different departments that deal with homelessness, part of this homeless strategy is to have everything under one roof. It will be easier for clientele that need the supports. They don't have to be going to different departments to get that support. That's our plan. We would be prepared to present to committee at committee's call. The document will be finalized shortly, and it will be ready for tabling. I think we are looking at towards the end of this session.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Chair. I look forward to seeing this, and hopefully, we will get something fruitful out of this. The way I look at it, too, is there are so many overlaps when we do our work with other departments. Any time you streamline something and simplify it, it just makes it easier for the public to access. This is a good thing, I think. Like one of my colleagues said, it looks good on paper, but I think it's the action we want to see and to see that actually get to where it needs to. We shouldn't see the numbers of homelessness that we are, and I am hoping that we could attack this head-on. Again, I think simplifying our process is a good way to go. I don't have any other questions. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Member for Hay River South.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2459

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to the homeless review, how many homeless clients were talked to or interviewed during this process? Thank you, Madam Chair.