Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a previous members statement, I stated that housing is a basic necessity that everyone needs, especially here in the North where the temperatures swing dramatically. And at home right now, currently, it's snowing.
Mr. Speaker, I raised the issue on October 28th, 2020, regarding the struggles that the Inuvik Emergency Warming Shelters was having. At that time, the Minister stated her department was working on a homelessness strategy but the draft was still not complete.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister also committed to sending in staff to assist with the operations and staff support. I know this happened, but from what I know, that they came, and they left back to Yellowknife. The Inuvik warming shelter continues to have its struggles to the point where the board closed the shelter again in mid May.
Mr. Speaker, before the COVID pandemic, the shelter did normally close in the summer to overnight shelter, except for last year, due to Covid. And, Mr. Speaker, I don't know why the GNWT is not supporting the emergency warming shelter board and staff this summer as we have not moved out of phase two of the emerging wisely plan. At this point, it feels like we're going to be in the phase for eternity.
Mr. Speaker, you know as well as I the nights in Inuvik continue to get below minus zero. Where are they supposed to stay? Last year the town passed a bylaw about no loitering, no urinating on public streets in Inuvik. So now with the facility closed, down for the summer, where are we like, we're forcing them to break the law. Where are they supposed to use the washroom when there are no public washrooms available? Where can they get a meal and something to drink?
It's time the Minister who is responsible for Homelessness, who is also the Minister of Housing, work with the Minister of Health and Social Services, step up and begin a long-term plan for housing and really, truly assisting our residents with addictions and providing a place to sleep 365 days a year.
Mr. Speaker, it is vital to have dedicated staff to support and fund these NGOs and volunteer boards that are doing the work in each community that has a shelter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Homelessness.