This is page numbers 2775 - 2818 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 chairperson.

Topics

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corp regarding the Spruce Bough. There's been a number of different applications throughout this. I believe that the Housing Corp is committed to a part of the co-investment fund and then the Spruce Bough was moved into the rapid rehousing money, and then they were not successful there. And now I believe they are back in the co-investment fund with CMHC and the Housing Corp is still supporting their 25 percent of that. But can I just get an update from the Minister on where the Spruce Bough is at with regards to getting funding to purchase the asset. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Spruce Bough had applied for a federal -- for federal funding. The Housing Corporation, we still do have the 25 percent to support that application but we don't have further details as we are not the -- we don't hold that federal funding here in the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I recognize that it can be frustrating for the Minister to, you know, try and answer questions about a federal program, but I think everyone has had frustrations with that CMHC funding. I guess more broadly, there were a number of organizations who applied to the rapid rehousing funding. They put together applications. They hired architects. They went quite far along in the process, and they weren't successful. And I believe a number of those were then moved into the co-investment fund. Does the Minister have any insight as to whether there is another round of federal funding coming or would those applicants ultimately see success or a light at the end of this tunnel? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can continue having the conversation with the federal government on replenishing those federal pots for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I think there are some lessons to be learned here, and perhaps some lobbying to be done by our Housing Corp on the CMHC's processes. And I've even heard that the CMHC ministers complain about some of their processes not working for the North in the past. It's a lot of the reason that the co-investment money sat there in the first place.

In the Spruce Bough's example, there doesn't currently seem to be a path forward where they can meet the CMHC building standards for green energy and retrofitting despite the fact that people are living there and it's working right now, this -- the Federal Government, through the CMHC, seems to have an unrealistic target they have to meet to actually get that building operational.

Can I get a commitment out of the Minister that they will review, and probably can lobby the CMHC, to make some changes to make sure that money can actually flow for the reality on the ground? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be meeting with Minister Hussen next Wednesday, and we will be speaking about replenishing the fund for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. We all want to be here today, so there you go.

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Social Development is pleased to provide its Report on Housing Phase One: Needs for NWT Homeowners and Private Landlords, and commends it to the House.

Executive Summary

The Standing Committee on Social Development is pleased to provide a report on the first phase of their housing review, examining issues affecting homeowners and landlords. The review shines a light on the long-standing housing policy issues that have remained unsolved over decades, as well as the growing housing challenges and declining federal and territorial housing dollars.

Committee members recognize the added stress COVID-19 has had on the already strained Northern housing sector. Committee members are appreciative of the range of measures the government has provided to support NWT landlords, homeowners, and tenants through the COVID-19 crises. Committee members worry housing resources will become even more constrained as demands to support recovery efforts intensify. Committee members feel now, more than ever, strong leadership and action is needed to shape and strengthen the NWT housing sector.

The following report is reflective of the response received from roughly twenty different stakeholders who shared their valuable opinions, experiences, and expertise. The recommendations in the report support the action stakeholders say are needed to increase and improve housing stock, and to decrease long-standing barriers affecting the NWT housing sector. The following recommendations are made to support these views:

Recommendation 1

Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories increase access to titled land to help homeowners and landlords meet financing and insurance obligations in NWT communities.

Recommendation 2

To ensure clarity in federal and territorial responsibilities related to Indigenous housing, the Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a policy and program barrier document to support Indigenous groups overcome barriers to qualify for federal financing programs, like ministerial loan guarantees.

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories partner with the northern private sector, non-profit, and Indigenous governments to develop government lease agreements to support access to financing for the development of housing stock and programs.

Recommendation 4

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories increase government funding and rental housing stock to provide supportive rental housing programs for vulnerable populations to have housing and on-site support to remain housed.

Recommendation 5

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories work with community partners to create an indeterminate community-based preventative maintenance program for homeowners.

Recommendation 6

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories expand and increase funding to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's repair program and decrease program eligibility requirements to reduce the future number of homes requiring major repairs and support solutions for existing homeowners.

Recommendation 7

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories implement homeownership programs with person-centered case management to navigate the complex northern housing environment, including mortgage financing, land tenure, and affordable home insurance.

Recommendation 8

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories remove interdepartmental policy requirements creating barriers for the applicants to receive the rental accommodation allowance, including requirements to be on the public housing waitlist and the payment of utility arrears.

Recommendation 9

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories allow rental allowance to be portable so people can choose where they want to live and so that housing meets their need.

Recommendation 10

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories remove interdepartmental policy barriers for homeowners, including requirements to be on the public housing waiting list and the payment of utility arrears. This also includes removing the policy requiring applicants to sell their homes.

Recommendation 11

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a program to help homeowners access insurance and work with homeowners to keep costs low.

Recommendation 12

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories expand and develop the current home insurance benefit allowance to support future and existing homeowners.

Recommendation 13

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Committee Report 16-19(2) Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Housing Phase One: Needs for the NWT Homeowners and Private Landlords be deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Motion is in order to the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is carried.

---Carried

The report is deemed read and booked in the Committee of the Whole. Report of standing and special committees. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Committee Report 16-19(2), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Housing Phase One: Needs for NWT Homeowners and Private Landlords be received and moved into Committee of the Whole for future consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Motion is in order to the motion. Motion has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is carried.

---Carried

The report will be moved into Committee of the Whole once again. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 99(4) to have Committee Report 16-19(2) moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to have -- waive to move the report into Committee of the Whole today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. It will be moved into Committee of the Whole today. Thank you.

Report of Standing and Special Committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: Plain language summary for Bill 30, An Act to amend the Aurora College Act; Government of the Northwest Territories response to committee bill 12-19(2) report on review of Bill 20; An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act; and Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 510-19(2), Universal Childcare. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Plain Language Summary for Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act; and Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 575-19(2), Northwest Territories-Yukon border restrictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Plain Language Summary for Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act; and, Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation 2021-2022 corporate plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the following document: Redacted meeting summaries for the GNWT Chamber of Mines COVID-19 Recovery Working Group, June 2020 to April 2021, obtained under Access to Information. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.