Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Finance.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the 2023-2024 Capital Estimates, which uses a revised approach in budgeting that better aligns the GNWT's planned spending with actual project delivery. Overall, the proposed capital estimates include $328 million in total spending, comprised of $292.5 million in departmentally managed capital, and $35.5 million for Housing NWT.

Over the last nine years, the GNWT has proposed capital plans averaging $405 million per year but the actual average spend was only $226 million per year. Put simply, the GNWT does not have the capacity to develop all of the projects we have been putting into the capital budget for the past few years, nor can the Northwest Territories' economy supply the labour and materials necessary to build assets on the schedule and scale proposed in previous GNWT capital plans. This creates unrealistic expectations among residents and communities, does not encourage good planning, and necessitates an unnecessarily large borrowing plan. This revised approach puts a $260 million funding cap on departmental capital spending beginning in 2023-2024, and brings the capital budget closer in line with the actual expectations. Infrastructure contributions for community governments and funding for Housing NWT are not included in this cap.

As part of this process, we asked departments to go through their planned investments and reassess what can actually be accomplished within this new funding cap and recognize that previously approved cost estimates and timelines of projects that have not advanced are now dated and will need to be revisited. This approach was reviewed by an interdepartmental working group and the new assistant deputy ministers working committee tasked with overseeing the capital planning process. Going forward, any new project estimates being proposed by departments will be reviewed by a peer review committee, which will provide technical oversight on project planning.

In some instances, we adjusted our investment timeline to move some projects back to the planning stage on the recommendations of the assistant deputy ministers review committee. Once unresolved issues that may have been delaying these projects are addressed, these projects will come back through the annual capital planning process for inclusion in the capital plan. We are moving, not cancelling, previously approved projects from long-term planning and have included $8.7 million in the 2023-2024 Capital Estimates to assist with further project scoping and design such as the Great Bear River Bridge currently proposed as part of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Colville Lake school, and a number of long-term care facilities. In short, projects that have lingered on the books, but are not advancing, will now see a better focus placed on problem-solving and planning so that they can in fact be ready to advance.

We are transforming our capital budgeting to encourage sound planning and refocus on projects that will be delivered. Our stronger emphasis on sound planning will also benefit local industries and businesses by allowing them to realistically plan to help deliver GNWT projects. To be clear, funding for smaller capital projects typically delivered by local businesses was not impacted by the $260 million cap in the 2023-2024 Capital Estimates. This includes small capital projects, retrofits and biomass funding, funding for highway bridges, culverts and chip sealing, and information management and technology equipment, as well as deferred maintenance. What has changed is that the more rigorous planning process for large capital projects will help businesses be assured that large capital projects proposed in the 2023-2024 Capital Estimates are truly ready to be built.

Our capital planning process is guided by a process handbook that prioritizes projects based on the protection of people, assets, the environment, and financial investments. Our needs list includes all the projects we envision for our future and reflects our priorities, combined with a long-term vision that extends well beyond any single Legislative Assembly. The additional funding included in the capital budget for planning and design will help decision-makers evaluate when projects should be included in the capital estimates for review and approval by this House.

This more realistic approach to capital planning provides a more accurate borrowing plan and more transparency with the Fiscal Responsibility Policy. The policy requires that at least half of GNWT capital investments are financed by an operating surplus. When capital budgets are larger than what can be delivered, we end up approving a borrowing plan that is too high for our needs which, in turn, sends a negative signal to financial stakeholders, and the users of the information that is published in our budgets.

Mr. Speaker, the 2023-2024 Capital Estimates align realistic spending and achievable timelines and continue to advance mandate priorities agreed to by the 19th Legislative Assembly. The new approach that resulted in these proposed estimates will encourage fulsome planning, support more realistic fiscal management and, importantly, focus attention and accountability where it should be - on the delivery of those projects that are in fact shovel ready. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report to this House, and residents of the NWT, on the progress we are making to transform the child and family services system to better serve children, youth, families, and communities. We want to create a system that provides services that are culturally safe and anti-racist.

Initiatives under the 2019-2021 Quality Improvement Plan are helping us reach that goal. I want to share a few details from the annual report of the director of child and family services, which I will table later today. Prevention services now account for 50 percent of all the services delivered. The Family Preservation Program has continued to expand throughout the NWT and now supports 86 families. A total of 75 percent of children who receive services remain in their home while a further 17 percent remain in their home community. Foster placements are being replaced with family placements, primarily extended family.

Mr. Speaker, that doesn't mean our job is done. Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented for both prevention and protection. Much of the need in this area is driven by poverty and housing insecurity. Access to safe housing, mental wellness supports, recreational opportunities, and pre- and post-natal care are the building blocks to support families and communities.

Another area of concern flagged in the director's report is youth in permanent care of the director who age out of the Extended Support Services Agreement. In the last fiscal year, only 23 percent of youth chose to continue services that would help them to transition to adulthood following their 19th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, these changes are possible because of our robust Quality Improvement Plan. A few of the plan's highlights include:

• 56 new positions focused on frontline capacity, family preservation, placement services, supervisory support, as well as training and cultural safety;
• Creating and filling two positions to support the integration of principles of cultural safety and anti-racism as part of the child and family services reform;
• Developing and implementing the Family Preservation Program I just referred to. This program provides families with wraparound support and promotes family unity and well-being. It also includes new funding to hire family preservation workers in every region of the NWT; and finally,.
• Expanding prevention support offered to expectant parents throughout the pre- and post-natal periods.

Mr. Speaker, the need for system reform has long been in play to begin addressing the impacts of colonization within the child and family services policies and practices. The department, and the health and social services authorities, recognize that Indigenous voices must guide the process of reconciliation within child and family services. Our goal is to acknowledge their experiences and answer their calls for a more culturally safe and anti-racist approach to the delivery of child and family services. We will also continue to work with Indigenous governments and communities by sharing information, keeping an open dialogue about service delivery, and supporting Indigenous governments in planning for children and youth.

The Standing Committee on Social Development's Report on the Child and Family Services Act called on all of us to work together to provide a broader continuum of care to meet the needs of children, youth, and families in the Northwest Territories. That is a goal I wholeheartedly share. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Disaster Assistance Policy was established for a reason; that being, to provide financial support to those impacted by natural disasters that may not be covered through standard insurance policies. The flooding in Hay River is one of those occurrences where that financial support was required, and that support has been well received and appreciated by residents and business owners.

Mr. Speaker, it has now been several months since flooding occurred in Hay River. As we know, many residents have been displaced from their homes, with many continuing to live in temporary accommodations. - this is extremely difficult for many and more so for seniors.

Mr. Speaker, some residents are in commercial accommodations while others chose to be with family or friends. Due to a shortage of contractors, untimely processes, and communication issues around DAP claims, some residents are concerned that they may be unable to return to their homes before next summer, or the summer after.

Mr. Speaker, residents say they continue to wait on clear answers from this government on home replacement, home repairs, and mitigation solutions. They are finding the requirement to jump through ever-changing government policy, rules, and forms, is causing additional stress and worry. Mr. Speaker, it is not just the residents, but also the contractors and local suppliers that are facing additional issues such as labour and material shortage which is not unique to the NWT. Impacted residents are waiting extended periods for quotes from contractors. Contractors are just too busy to quote and do not want to give false hope to residents that work can get started.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that prior to the damage caused by flooding, many of the local contractors had a full slate of work on their plate. The addition of taking on flood damage remediation forced each to refocus and rearrange existing work which will result in some government and private projects falling behind.

Mr. Speaker, what is required from this government is additional support for the pathfinders, professional services, technical support, and access to contractors. We must streamline the process to move remediation of homes along. As winter approaches, it is time for the Minister of MACA and his staff to visit Hay River to hear ongoing concerns from those impacted by the flood. He needs to provide reassurance to the residents and businesses that his department is listening and willing to take the necessary steps support remediation efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to the issue of barging services in Nunakput riding. Since the GNWT, Mr. Speaker, has taken over barging six years ago, our communities continue to be at risk of barge schedule and weather, and they always run out of supplies in the communities which is costing our community members more to fly in materials off the airplane and whatever is needed.

Mr. Speaker, the barge schedule is set every year. So why are the community resupplies not the first priority to be complete? Why do our communities consistently wait to the end of shipping season and hope their supplies will arrive? The GNWT, Mr. Speaker, is a public servant. We are all public servants that serve the people of the Northwest Territories, and the people of the Northwest Territories should be put first.

This year in Nunakput, communities of Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok that we got barges got in but the month prior to the month and a half prior to that they were flying in flat Pampers because the store shelves were obsolete. They were deleted. And so is the government willing to see if we could do some sort of -- if the people were to bring back a receipt from airline or something like that to help the residents of those two communities that had great bare expense to try to survive, are they willing to come and work with us to get funding back to the people that had to pay so much?

Mr. Speaker, does the Department of Infrastructure not establish a schedule in collaboration with the communities' leadership when coming up in the next weeks to come. It arrives in the community and meets the needs of the residents.

In October 2018, while shelves in the communities were depleting, MTS cancelled the barge resupply in Paulatuk. This year we're good to catch it. Ice was impassable. The mayor of Paulatuk at the time, the community was never given clear delivery dates besides the original forecast, and the barge arrived early September. And while the barge did not arrive that season, Mr. Speaker, it was late. The residents bore the whole cost of buying supplies for the community. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the vicious cycle a person must go through to remain in public housing, or their rental home, is often enough to make anyone's head spin. Often I hear about housing clients in arrears that receive no help. Their income support is insufficient, and they are subjected to overly rigorous and often invasive data collection. Income assistance clients living in our government-funded housing still cannot afford to live, or ever get ahead, as any income, help, or gift-in-kind, lowers the amount of money they will receive down the line, and then they cannot afford to pay for food or other items. Mr. Speaker, you can't even win a small Bingo jackpot on income assistance without that being deducted from your next cheque; Something that hardly seems worth the administrative burden it creates.

I have to wonder, has the cost benefit analysis been done to see if the amount of money saved is more than the administrative cost it takes to go after an elder in Deline for attending a bingo. As the Premier said yesterday, people are in situations where choices must be made between food and paying their bills.

Basing current rent on the previous year's income makes no sense, and rent based on affordability and current living situation is what a person needs. If clients have arrears, they have difficulty getting caught up. The couch surfing homeless are generally those on the GNWT housing waitlist. If they stay with family who resides in a public housing unit, that family member is then penalized for the additional income of the couch surfer and the rent is increased. Why? They are covering a gap in service as this government does not have enough housing for all residents that need it. This causes overcrowding and unhealthy living arrangements, a burden to the family member that is only trying to help and yet we find it acceptable to charge them more for this.

Cabinet's response is always people can appeal decisions made by the departments. However, many are unaware of their rights to ask for a reassessment or an appeal. Plus, this all takes time, mental energy, and resources these already marginalized clients cannot easily access or afford. They are afraid of engaging with government offices as they ask for help and are made to feel like a burden and not worthy of government time or money. Often people describe their interactions with the GNWT as being made to feel like, quote, "a criminal or a beggar", and I have to ask how does that fit into our 19th Assembly priority of truth and reconciliation? The answer, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't. And nothing that is being said by this Assembly is more than lip service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1948, the right to adequate housing was made part of the United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The right to adequate housing is relevant to all nations, and all members of the international community have ratified at least one treaty, declaration, plans of action, or a conference committing themselves to the right of adequate housing.

The United Nation's committee on economic, social and cultural rights has underlined the right to adequate housing should not be interpreted narrowly. Instead, it should be seen as a right to live somewhere in security, peace, and dignity. Mr. Speaker, in case you're wondering why I'm citing international treaties in our territorial legislature, I'm doing my best to impress the importance of the rights to housing in this government. I spent the opening days of our legislative sitting bringing real and personal stories of my constituents' struggles with inadequate housing and in barriers put up by inflexible policies, decisions, that undermines their ability to live in secure, peace, and dignity.

Mr. Speaker, the mandate of this government has modest goals for housing that are entirely achievable. The mandate promised to increase the stock of quality, energy efficient, affordable housing, especially for vulnerable people, by 100 units over a four-year period. In a transition, 100 individual families to income to homeownership has been three years since these commitments were made and, by the GNWT's own math, 75 percent of these targets should have been met.

It will be foolish not to acknowledge that unprecedented global pandemic and subsequent economic downturn has affected this work. But for the Minister, who I will remind stated not too long ago "housing is my passion", housing should be the first and foremost priority of existing resources, not to mention the federal government has been generous in affording billions of dollars towards national housing infrastructure programs. $30 million has been received by the GNWT to build homes and support local housing strategies for the first year and the next fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's no shortage of resources that could make a difference in the lives of my communities. Instead, I see serious lack of political will to push harder than ever before to ensure our people have access to homes that allow them to live in secure, peace, and dignity. Mr. Speaker, this challenge would not be so great if there were more collaboration at the regional and community level. Of course, I'm speaking about partnership with Indigenous governments, both settled and unsettled, that are far better to equipped to determine their own housing needs and implement resources to build and repair homes. The current approach seems to be keeping this money and putting it through the policy rigor at Housing NWT where we know, for the last 50 years, there are red tape barriers to assisting homeowners even today. Instead, why does the Minister not consider reallocating these critical funds that are $30 million from Canada for the next two years with no strings attached through a contribution agreement with Indigenous governments and housing programs and strategies immediately? This way we have insurance that the resources are getting to the ground and being used effectively to promote and provide for adequate and affordable housing in Indigenous communities.

Mr. Speaker, I was elected to find solutions to problems, and what I have learned is that sometimes less government is better option when faced with poor track record of the learning results for the last 50 years of the Housing NWT. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for, at the appropriate time, mahsi, for the Minister.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know the saying squeaky wheel gets its grease? Well, Mr. Speaker, I don't know if there's enough grease available for your wheels, my wheels, the Minister of Infrastructure wheels, Member for Nunakput's wheels, and many of our constituents who travel the Dempster Highway from the Beaufort Delta.

Mr. Speaker, the Dempster Highway is the lifeline, as I said in this House many times, for Inuvik and the Beaufort Delta. The highway is so well used by our people that it's one of the main things that brings all our necessities to the North, from food, energy, building materials, to tourism, just to name a few.

Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in the North is already high. High costs are unfortunately a part of living because of our remoteness. But we as a government have a duty to do everything we can do to drive down costs for our residents.

Mr. Speaker, the Yukon portion of the Dempster Highway is the worst conditions we have seen. I've heard from many constituents and many of other constituents from the region that, from the corner to the border, it's horrible. It's horrible, it's horrible, it's horrible. And when it rains, don't even bother trying if you don't have 4-by-4.

There's also been multiple long closures that are not only on the winter road due to weather but landslides and damages to bridges, just to name a few, that left the closure for days this summer.

Mr. Speaker, companies are now starting to charge extra to drive up that road, and those costs are being passed on to my constituents and your constituents and the many other constituents of the Beaufort Delta. This means higher costs for food, groceries, energy - everything that comes up that road.

Mr. Speaker, today I will be asking the appropriate Minister, which would probably be the Minister of Infrastructure, what our government is doing to push the Yukon government to do its part in terms of maintaining the Dempster Highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot predict when and where the next pandemic will occur, but I believe we should have learned some lessons from the past pandemic to protect the vulnerable people. First, let me begin with the financial support.

We all heard stories, all of us heard stories, about people having to pay back emergency and recovery payments received from the federal government during the pandemic. We also heard stories about people who received federal COVID support dollars and became ineligible to receive territorial or provincial income assistance. Mr. Speaker, it does not seem right that we create hardship after we have come through a pandemic.

The federal COVID support was not meant to replace the territorial income assistance, yet it seems that both the federal and the territorial government want to claw money back and save ongoing assistance payments. Mr. Speaker, we can do better and create support programs focusing on those in need. We can avoid this boom and bust effect and allow for respectful pay schedules and accurate information. We cannot punish people with low incomes for having received assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I heard of confusion between a loan and income. I hear that if the federal COVID support, like CERB, has to be paid back, then it should be considered a loan. And if it is being paid back, it cannot be considered income and count towards territorial income support assessment. Mr. Speaker, doing both punishes our most vulnerable. The federal government requests the repayment of COVID support while the territorial government considers the received amount as income when determining income assistance eligibility. Mr. Speaker, I can have a unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, we need to focus on how our income support program works and improve them to avoid people getting poorer and becoming homeless. Mr. Speaker, we need to help the clients. Mr. Speaker, good intention do not always lead to good results. We see people unable to pay their rent, falling behind in utility payments, and sliding into food insecurity because on the one hand the federal government requires repayment; on the other hand, the territorial government seems to consider past federal COVID support in assessing eligibility for income support. I will have question for the Minister of education at appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of reviewing things is to eventually do something. And we have conducted a What We Heard report on the Liquor Act. We now have a report with a number of recommendations. And so my question to the Minister of Finance is when are we actually going to make some changes?

Now, Mr. Speaker, I'm well aware that there is probably no issue more divisive in this House than alcohol. We have communities with literal prohibition in this territory, Mr. Speaker. So it's fair to say that some of us aren't going to agree with how to approach this. But, Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister of Finance has at least tried, and I commend her on her efforts. The department did the report, they collected a wide variety of opinions, and they came to some sort of compromise.

Heaven forbid I was ever the Minister of Finance, Mr. Speaker, because I would throw that report in the garbage, and I would bring forth my own changes to the Liquor Act which would allow many things that the department wasn't willing to do. But I also know that another Minister of Finance might go in a completely opposite direction. So it's on this Minister while she has that portfolio to bring changes forward, Mr. Speaker, to actually get something done.

Mr. Speaker, there are a few things in the report that I -- recommendations that I was quite happy to see. They recommend removing the prohibition on the sale of alcohol on election day. You might have noticed there was the usual 100-person lineup at the liquor store yesterday in Yellowknife. Many people going through withdrawal, their symptoms already been there, because we had made it illegal to sell alcohol for almost 48 hours in Yellowknife. I think this is cruel and completely unnecessary and archaic law. Gladly the Minister's recommendation was to get rid of that. We'll have to talk to our authorities and rules about getting rid of it in the Elections and Plebiscites Act, but it's a step.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the report recommended allowing special event permits to be granted them yearlong. Folk on the Rocks has been selling beer for 40 years and every year there's this deadline where they're unsure whether they're going to get their licence. I think we can just give them a special event permit, Mr. Speaker.

There was a number of other changes, Mr. Speaker, allowing manufacturing facilities to set up a hospitality area. I know if you start a brewery, one of the key ways you actually make money is being able to sell beer at that brewery, which is currently prohibited, Mr. Speaker. That being said, we have a stack of changes, some require legislation, some can be done right now. My question for the Minister of Finance is what is she going to accomplish with the Liquor Act in this Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to note yesterday's incident during oral questions to the Minister of Education of his claim that everyone goes through university and his claim that he's a lawyer; his dad's a lawyer; I don't know how many others he would have referred to, and the biggest thing is all of Cabinet applauded him. This was during my statement of the plight of education in the small communities.

Many times I've said I have those lived experiences; I'm from a small community. Education levels are dismal. I've been at this since 2019.

I don't know if the education minister would like to apologize to all the small community students who achieve to even try to get out of grade 12 with a grade 12 level so that they can attend university. And many do. We have leaders, many leaders who go to make speeches and tell them to follow their dreams, you know, their dreams is as high, their success is as high as you want it to be. They're naive. They don't know that. They can't make that dream a reality. And I've stated that many times.

There is a big problem in our communities with education. It's being ignored by this government. We need some actions happening to improve education in our small communities, and we need action now.

As I speak passionately about this education in the small communities, the Minister's not from a small community. He doesn't know. He's young yet. You know, he hasn't been around the block in Education for very long. We've been trying to educate him, to work with him. But I'm just getting brash answers and it's constantly, and a lot of showboating lately.

So I'll have a question -- maybe a question for the Minister of Education at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. In June 2021, the Tlicho government wrote to the federal Minister of Northern Affairs requesting a regional study for the area known as the Slave Geological Province pursuant to part 5.2 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. It took some prodding in May, June, but the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources supported the idea of a proposed regional study including participant funding. The review board held a workshop on a regional study in June 2022, and there is further correspondence on its website on this matter, including an interesting letter from GNWT.

I support such a regional study and wrote to the federal Minister of Northern Affairs on July 15th. That was a table I -- or the letter I tabled yesterday in the Assembly, and I recommended that a better name for this initiative be developed to avoid the colonial underpinnings of the name associated with this area; at a minimum, the historical range of the Bathurst caribou range within the NWT and Nunavut needs to be used; a regional study should be conducted by an independent group with representation from both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; engagement with all interested parties to develop goals, principles, alternatives, scenarios, evaluation criteria, consideration of opportunity costs and trade-offs and modeling; cumulative effects assessment and intergenerational equity should be part of any regional study; results of any regional study need to be implemented through land use planning and subsequent project assessments; and, finally, there needs to be sufficient participant funding for Indigenous governments and civil society to bring added value to the process.

I will have questions for the Minister of Lands later today on what the GNWT position is on a regional study and how this government intends to engage residents and regular MLAs in putting forward any positions. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Therese Bertrand was born on March 1st, 1934, at Fisherman Lake. Her parents were Marie Angele and Laurent Deneron. She passed away on May 22nd, 2022, at the age of 88. Therese was raised at Fisherman Lake in the springtime, and during the fall, her parents and siblings spent time on the land in Yunaa, also called "across the river".

She met her husband Phillip Bertrand in 1949 when she was 15 years old. They moved to Maxhamish where they raised their nine children.

Therese was brought up in the traditional Dene lifestyle by lakes with lots of fish, birds, animals with her parents and siblings. Phillip and Therese raised their own children the same way, making sure that their children were taught these same skills.

She was known for being ready and willing to help her children with the task of providing and help looking after her children when needed. As it could be seen, she loved each and every one of them.

Therese Dene's name was Amah. Everyone called her that. The family tells a story that one day she heard a knock on her door. When she opened it, there was an RCMP member there, and he asked her, Amah, where is so and so. She replied in Slavey saying he was over there. The RCMP stood and replied, Mashi, Amah. As the member left her house, she turned to the visitor and said, I have a lot of people call me Amah, but I did not know I had a son who was an RCMP member. They both laughed. But that was how people thought of her. She will always be remembered for her bannock, dry fish, dry meat, and tea she would share when people come to visit her. On top of the great food, she would tell stories and share her laughter with them. As well, she had an amazing sense of humour which people still hold on in their hearts.

Therese was predeceased by her parents, husband, five brother, four sisters, one son, and two daughters. She leaves behind one brother, one daughter, six sons, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, and other nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, she will be forever missed by her surviving family and friends. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community. Members' statements. Member for Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour former deputy minister and public servant Tom Williams who lost his battle with cancer just this past August. Born and raised in the Northwest Territories, Tom dedicated his life to the North and was a well-respected member of every community he lived in. Tom started his career in the public service over 30 years ago as a personnel officer in Inuvik. As a proud Metis, Tom earned respect from Indigenous people and leadership across the North.

In 2001, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Gwich'in Tribal Council where he spent seven years advancing priorities of the Gwich'in people and supporting leadership.

In 2008, Tom accepted the position of associate deputy minister for the Department of Human Resources. In August 2009, Tom was promoted to deputy minister of Human Resources with the Government of the Northwest Territories, a long journey from the personnel officer position that first brought him to public service.

Tom was appointed as deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs in 2011 and in September 2016 became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation where he would end his storied career serving residents of all 33 communities.

I remember working with Tom when I was the housing minister and the incredible work we got done during that time. I will miss him.

Mr. Speaker, Tom was not only a dedicated public servant but a family man who cared deeply about those closest to him, especially his grandchildren who he talked about often.

He also loved hockey and invested his free time over the years in the hockey rink coaching youth across the Northwest Territories the game of hockey. He was also a goaltender who played until his knees just wouldn't let him anymore, this after almost 48 years between the pipes.

Tom has left a lasting legacy on the Northwest Territories and is an example of just what one can do with hard work and dedication. Mr. Speaker, Tom Williams will be missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pam and the family, also his many friends that he had throughout the Northwest Territories. I remember when Tom was our CEO at the Gwich'in Tribal Council, and it's like we became a big family at the time, you know, over the years. He'll be greatly missed by many. Mahsi.

Members' statements. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I'm pleased to recognize the oral health professionals from the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the Department of Health and Social Services. They're in Yellowknife for an oral health conference to increase their knowledge in health promotion and preventative services. We have with us today, Adama Stevens from Inuvik, Julia Erasmus from Fort Simpson, Valerie Herring from Fort Smith, Travy Bowser, Lana de Bastiani, and Zoe Ignacio-Pacunayen, and Meagan Smith working out of Yellowknife. Thank you for all the work you do, and thank you for joining us.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to also recognize Julia Erasmus. Her parents live across, and I've had the pleasure of knowing Julia for a long time. She did a lot of dental work with my kids. Not saying they had dental problems, but.

As well, MaryJane Cazon, our translator who speaks Dene Zhatie here, as well Jamie Koe, deputy minister for Lands, as well Pam. Thank you very much for being here. Sorry about your loss. Tommy was an amazing individual and when we'd talk about being in his pipes, he'd always sit there and laugh at me and say, you're never ever gonna score a goal on me. And then he'd just sit there and laugh at me as the puck would go in his gloves. So thank you for being here.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Honourable Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a Range Lake constituent and the wife of Tom Williams, Ms. Pamela Williams and his daughter Aurora. My heart is with you. And call me if you need me.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize my constituent and neighbour Lana de Bastiani, and I appreciate that the Minister said your name because I don't know that I would have been able to pronounce it properly. And I'd also like to recognize Natalie Preston with the CBC who has been here with us this week. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Ms. Pam Williams and her daughter Aurora as well too. And my work with Tom as well and looking at what we created and what we're working towards within the portfolio is his legacy. People of the Northwest Territories was his priority, and we continue to work within that mandate. Mahsi for his work, and mahsi for being here today. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Welcome. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber. I hope you're enjoying our proceedings. It's always nice to have an audience with us. Mahsi.

Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Report on Bill 52, Elevators and Lifts Act. Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment is pleased to provide the Report on Bill 52, Elevators and Lifts Act, and commends it into the House.

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, Bill 52 Elevators and Lifts Act.

Introduction

Bill 52 Elevators and Lifts Act is the creation of a stand-alone Act aimed to align the NWT legislation with other jurisdictions. Bill 52 deals with regulation of the installation, use of, inspection of, elevating devices, including lifts and amusement rides.

Engagement Process

The bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment (committee) on May 31st, 2022. Public notices were provided to solicit comments on the bill. None were received. Committee held a public hearing and clause-by-clause review of the bill with the Minister and departmental officials on September 28th, 2022.

Committee Concerns

Section 68 of the bill describes a report to be provided to the Minister from the chief inspector. Committee is concerned that the details of this report are vague and there is no requirement that the report would be publicly available. During the public hearing held on the bill, the Minister agreed that the annual report should be made available to the public and that all the contents and details would be prescribed in the regulations.

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment recommends the GNWT make the report as described in section 68 of the Act publicly available including details not limited to number of permits issued and in good standing, number of approvals, orders issued, prosecutions and fines, and inspections, etc.

Section 13 of the Act describes the registry content. The bill outlines committee was concerned about the lack of clarity around the type of information collected in the registry, and how it may be made publicly available. During the review of the bill, it was stated that there is already a registry in place and plans are being developed to make it public. The Minister also committed to share draft regulations with committee to implement the new legislation.

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment recommends that the GNWT proactively disclose the information contained in the registry described in section 13 of the Act by making it publicly available without any fees for access.

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment recommends the GNWT provide a response to this report within 120 days.

Conclusion

This concludes the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Bill 52, Elevators and Lifts Act. Committee would like to thank the Minister and departmental officials in committee's review of the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Nunakput.

Mr. Speaker, I move, second by the honourable Member from Deh Cho, that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report, Bill 52, Elevators and Lifts Act, to be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Report on Bill 52 will be moved into Committee of the Whole.

Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Ombud and commends it to the House.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Ombud.

The Ombud Act requires the Ombud to prepare an annual report. The report includes information on the number of inquiries and complaints received. It can also include recommendations. The Speaker tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. Once tabled, the committee reviews the report. As part of the review the Ombud, Ms. Colette Langlois, appeared before committee on February 11, 2022.

The committee commends her user-friendly approach in her annual report. The strong visuals, plain language, and ample statistics provided an excellent template to understand the Ombud's activities. The committee report follows up on previous recommendations from the Ombud and from committee to improve the Ombud Act - work that the Government of the Northwest Territories has declined to pursue in the life of the 19th Assembly.

The committee also makes two substantive recommendations in this report:

• First, that the GNWT review and amend the Ombud Act by Fall 2025; and,
• Second, that the Speaker amend the Rules of the Northwest Territories Assembly to allow annual reports of statutory officers to be made available to the public sooner. The committee is pleased to submit this report to the Legislative Assembly and looks forward to its earnest consideration.

I'll now pass it over to the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In October 2020, the Speaker tabled the Ombud's first-ever annual report for 2019-20. The Ombud's report made 14 for legislative changes to the Act. The recommendations were informed by:

• The Ombud's review of legislation in other jurisdictions;
• The advice she received from other Ombuds and legal professionals; and.
• The issues that arose when responding to individual complaints in her first year in the role.

The Ombud made her recommendations "with the intent of ensuring that my office is fully enabled to fulfill the purpose and vision with which the Legislative Assembly created it."

Committee endorsed many of the Ombud's recommendations in our subsequent review report. That report was tabled in May 2021 and discussed in Committee of the Whole.

The Legislative Assembly ultimately adopted seven motions that recommended changes to the Act. At the time, Members hoped that the GNWT would put forward amending legislation in the remaining two years of the 19th Assembly. In this regard, the GNWT's November 2021 response was disappointing. The GNWT agreed to reconsider certain recommendations but only in the context of "full review".

On other recommendation, the GNWT expressed caution or reluctance for future consideration. The GNWT ultimately declined to pursue any legislative changes in the life of the 19th Assembly, determining that the timing would be "more appropriate" in the 20th Assembly. However, the GNWT has not committed to pursue changes to the 20th Assembly either. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Previous recommendations still stand. Some are high priority

At her February 2021 appearance before committee, the Ombud confirmed that the outstanding recommendations in her first 2019-2020 Annual Report are still relevant. She reported that "the recommendations really haven't changed" and that she would "certainly repeat them before the end of her mandate to ensure they are still on the record." The committee believes it is important to reiterate the Ombud's recommendations, as long as they remain unimplemented, before the end of her mandate.

Her recommendations for changing the Ombud Act are:

1. Broaden the definition of "authorities" to include territorial government offices that are excluded from the current schedules.
2. Include the authorities created under the Human Rights Act in the schedule.
3. Remove references to "judicial review" in section 17.
4. Amend subsection 17(2) to remove the requirement that the Ombud consider whether a complainant's failure to exercise a right of appeal or objection was "unreasonable" before accepting a complaint.
5. Replace subsection 17(3) with a provision that authorizes the Ombud to investigate matters that occurred before into force of the Act, without any limitation period.
6. Remove the reference to the director of human rights from section 23.
7. Amend subparagraph 22(1)(g)(i) so that it applies before an investigation as well as during the course of the investigation.
8. Amend paragraph 22(2)(a) to remove the requirement for the Ombud to notify the authority any time the Ombud refuses to investigate a complaint.
9. Replace section 29 with a provision similar to subsection 25(7) of the Ombudsman Act (Saskatchewan) to remove potential barriers to investigating some complaints where complainants cannot provide written consent to disclosure of their information, or where third party information is required.
10. Amend the Act to include a new provision ensuring that authorities are permitted to provide information to the Ombud voluntarily.
11. Amend the Act to include a new provision preventing the disclosure of information originating from the Office of the Ombud.
12. Remove the requirement for the Ombud's policies and procedures to comply with administrative policies of the clerk.
13. Replace the term "authority" with a term that would be more recognizable to members of the public.
14. Revise subsection 15(1) for clarity.

In her remarks, the Ombud placed the highest priority on recommendations dealing with her jurisdiction to investigate complaints. This topic corresponds to recommendations number 1 through 6.

The Ombud's jurisdictional recommendations are important because they impact the public and whether they can make a complaint.

I'll now pass it over to MLA Semmler. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

The Ombud described several ways the Act, as it is written now, prevents the public from making complaints and why this is problematic:

1. Housing Associations

The Act allows the Ombud to investigate housing authorities but not housing associations. In practice, this means the Ombud can investigate a public housing complaint from a tenant Yellowknife (Sombaa K'e) but not the same complaint from a tenant in Fort McPherson (Teetl'it Zheh) or in the other ten communities where the local housing organization is defined as an association. The jurisdictional restriction on investigating housing associations raises an equity of access issue. Residents in certain generally smaller communities are unable to request investigations and pursue remedies to matters related to their local housing association.

Committee wants to see this equity of access issue resolved as soon as possible.

2. NWT Rental Office

The Ombud reported that she has heard concerns about the NWT Rental Office but she cannot substantiate those concerns because the Act leaves out the NWT Rental Office from her jurisdiction. A number of other offices also fall outside of her jurisdiction: The Assessment Appeals Tribunal, the Social Assistance Appeal Board, and the Staffing Appeals Officer, among others.

The Ombud indicated that the NWT's Ombud Act "is an outlier, in terms of legislation, across Canada. Everyone else has a broader provision." This means that NWT residents have less scope to seek administrative fairness in government administration and services compared with other Canadians.

Committee wants to see Northerners' complaints treated the same way as they would be in other provinces and territories.

3. Temporal Jurisdiction.

The Act restricts the Ombud from investigating matters that occurred before January 1, 2016. This restriction has, in practice, prevented the Ombud from launching investigations into some complaints. The Ombud has reported that complainants found the cut-off "arbitrary and unfair" and "hard to accept." This means that complainants who may have experienced a historical unfairness cannot access a remedy through the Ombud's office. The committee wants to ensure that all substantiated complaints from Northerners are investigated regardless of when the matter occurred.

Recommendations

The committee finds that the Ombud's recommendations to amend the Ombud Act well researched and aligned with statutory standards elsewhere. The recommendations have merit and should be considered for implementation with the shortest delay. The Standing Committee on Government Operations therefore recommends:

Recommendation 1

That the Government of the Northwest Territories, in consultation with the Standing Committee on Government Operations and within the first two years of the 20th Assembly, review each of the Ombud's recommendations in her 2019-2020 Annual Report in the context of a holistic review of the Ombud Act and amend the Act accordingly. The committee also encourages the Ombud to convey the continued relevance of outstanding recommendations in each of the annual reports.

I will now pass it over to the Member for Yellowknife North. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Member for Yellowknife North.

Releasing Annual Reports Sooner

It is important for the annual reports of statutory officers, like the Ombud, to be released in a timely manner. Timely release allows for any problems identified by statutory officers, and recommendations to fix them, to be addressed sooner. The Committee's review process is also more relevant when annual reports are provided shortly after the year's end. Ultimately, timely release enhances the effectiveness of the committee's oversight of government. The Ombud's Annual Report is not currently released to committee or the public in a timely manner. The Ombud's first two annual reports, for 2019-20 and 2020-21, were released only once they were tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Tabling occurred in the fall session of the Assembly - six to eight months after the fiscal year-end in March.

The delay is not the result of the slowness on the Ombud's part. The Act requires the Ombud to prepare and submit her annual report to the Speaker "no later than July 1st. The Speaker must then table the report" as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Tabling a document has the effect of making it available to the public. Historically, the Speaker only tables a document during session, the period of time when the Legislative Assembly holds its meetings. In most years, the next instance after July 1st when session is held is in the fall. This implies a period of three to five months during which the annual report is complete but not available for committee or the public to review.

The annual reports of other statutory officers, such as the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Languages Commissioner, are also typically available to committee and the public in the fall session. Committee wants to see the annual reports of statutory officers, and of all public entities more generally, released in a timelier fashion.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations therefore recommends:

Recommendation 2

That the Speaker of the Northwest Territories, in consultation with the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, and before the end of the 19th Assembly, review and amend the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, to allow annual reports of statutory officers to be released publicly once they are received, and before they are tabled. This rule change should, in effect, allow the Speaker to make available to committee and to the public the Ombud's annual report upon receipt or shortly thereafter.

Conclusion

This concludes the Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Ombud. Committee looks forward to the government's response to these recommendations.

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Reports of standing and special committees.

Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that the Standing Committee on Government Operations' Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Ombud be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

The report of the Ombud will be moved into Committee of the Whole later today. Thank you.

Reports of standing and special committees. Returns to oral questions. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker I'm bringing up again that barging in Nunakput how we -- I wouldn't say how we failed but how we're working together to try to provide service. You know, like I told you in my Member's statement earlier today that all of our -- the people that were having to fly in goods, groceries and the young families having to fly Pampers in and that into Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok, Mr. Speaker, is there any way that we could work together with them if they brought receipts back from that certain timeframe, would the Minister be able to entertain that we'd be able to help them in refunds from MTS? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, 2022 has been like no other year in the operation of MTS. I mean, we've had many factors, barges being late, buoys being placed a month, weather factors. The list goes on, Mr. Speaker. I hear the Member's concern about working with the residents to try and have a look at some of the stuff that's been brought in and perhaps -- I mentioned yesterday that we are working on contingency plans. So that will be part of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I thank the Minister for that. I just want a commitment in regards to being able to hand in a receipt if it's possible to MTS in regards to getting funds back to the constituents as my constituency is the most northerly constituency, and it's highest cost of living besides yours, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know what? I've been saying "yes" all week so this is going to be one of those that are probably going to be "no." I can't commit right now, Mr. Speaker. I mean, there's a lot of number of things we need to look at. We are taking responsibility for the goods that are affected by the barge going in. So we are looking after those. To the extent of what means and how much that would cost, that's still underway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess this next week I have my leadership coming down, of my mayors from the communities in regards to the go-forward on a barging plan to work with the Minister and the department. I really think that in the talks I think something like this should be brought up anyway. And I just wanted to make sure that we get commitment from our Minister in regards to working together to try to compensate everybody that's been affected. It's not their fault that what happened. And we should be -- if they had to fly goods in, they should be compensated. And I want the department to think about that and they got a week to think about it because I got my leadership coming down to work together with the government to get this sorted out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned to the Member that I would be working with the Member and the residents -- the leadership, sorry, in Sachs Harbour. So I do want to note that the Department of Infrastructure's undertaking a post-season evaluation. So what that means it would be examining what occurred, what additional mitigation can be considered in the future so we don't have this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. Mr. Speaker, us being, I guess, laid up or tied up, I guess, for the rest of the season, say for instance in Paulatuk, will there be any employment opportunities for security or watching the vessels and stuff like that for community members and -- because I did get a call from a young man that was looking into something -- doing something like that to provide that service for MTS; is that possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course, you know, with all the equipment that is waiting to get in the community, you know, it's our responsibility to be able to ensure that they're kept secure. And that's something that we need to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been a few months here since flooding occurred in Hay River, and people want to get back in their homes. So Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister what is the staff complement and duties of those persons currently assisting residents and businesses affected by the flood in Hay River? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for MACA.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is presently eight MACA declared solely to the 2022 flood recovery effort. We have a director and a finance officer in Yellowknife, and we have six pathfinders; four in Hay River and two in Yellowknife. In addition, there's excessive support being provided by several staff at Yellowknife, or headquarters, and the South Slave Region as well as other GNWT departments, including Environment and Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Housing NWT, and Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for that. It's interesting that, you know, we have eight people really on the ground looking after $200 million roughly, which is probably bigger than some departments. So either we're going to have to reassess how we're managing things internally.

Mr. Speaker, what restrictions have been -- I'd like to ask the Minister what restrictions have been placed on disbursement of funding under the DAP program by the federal government? Thank you.

Thank you. Municipal and Community Affairs is providing disaster assistance recovery from the 2022 flood consistent with the GNWT Executive Council Disaster Assistance Policy with two federal government programs. The disaster Assistance Policy is a government-funded program that may be implemented after wide-spread disaster to ensure essential community functions and covers the essential basic needs of residents and businesses. Disaster assistance is limited to essential items, the loss of which was either preventable or noninsurable. It is not an insurance program to recover all losses and provide assistance to restore eligible items as per pre-disaster conditions. The GNWT policy is modeled on the federal government's Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, or the DFAA, and is designed to help maximize financial assistance available for the DFAA.

There are numerous requirements that MACA must follow laid out in the GNWT's Disaster Assistance Policy and the federal program. Our pathfinders are in place to help residents and businesses with the process to assist disaster assistance and to answer their questions about their requirement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It sounded like that was just kind of a generalization so there wasn't any really specific answer, I guess, with respect to, you know, any restrictions by the federal government. But I'll move on.

Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses are concerned that they are required to cover the cost above the advanced payment received for damages and then submit receipts for reimbursement for the other half. The only way for many to accomplish this is through a loan as many do not have the funds available. I'd like to ask the Minister is this a federal or GNWT requirement, and what are the options if one does not have the funds and cannot obtain a loan? Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses may receive an advance up to 50 percent of the damage identified in the damage assessment that were completed with each resident and business. Those who have unique hardships, where they are required to pay specific costs in advance or are unable to access other finances and have no other options, may be eligible for an advancement up to 100 percent of their anticipated costs for repairs. GNWT pathfinders have been working directly with those individuals who have indicated that they meet the criteria in additional assistance. Individuals should contact GNWT pathfinders' assistance for their unique situations. Mr. Speaker, again, if the situation's unique, please have them reach out to our pathfinders, and we're more than willing to work with these individuals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the problem with that analysis is that, you know, you may have a group of people who were able to get loans and ended up paying -- having to pay interest, and, you know, and then you've got another group that get turned down and they won't be stuck with any interest. So that's something I'd like the Minister to think about.

Mr. Speaker, here's a million dollar question: Will the Minister with technical staff commit to coming to Hay River and meeting on site and in an office setting with residents and business owners who are working through the DAP process? And October 27th and 28th of this year would be acceptable dates. Thank you.

Wow, the Member's telling us when we can do it, and it's really good. I think there may have been an email exchange back and forth between the Member and myself. But just so people are aware, MACA has been meeting frequently with residents in Hay River office and on site, on their properties. These meetings are occurring on an ongoing basis with our pathfinders as well as senior management for those individuals who completed situations.

Mr. Speaker, I have to applaud the Member from Hay River North, Hay River South, and the Deh Cho for reaching out and working with us, and having these conversations and inviting us to that. So as the Member has said, that date works for our technical staff on the 27th and 28th. We will work with the three Members to set up what type of meetings we'll have with them so that we can meet the requirements of impacted residents on that.

As for myself, with my schedule, I'll work with the Member when I can get into the communities. And again, I really have to stress I have to thank the three Members. I've had displeasure of dealing with floods myself last year, and I applaud them for the work they're doing for the residents. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I said before, squeaky wheel gets the grease so I'm going to keep up this until I hear some good answers, if it takes me, I don't know, how long. If I have to keep running.

What is the Minister doing to raise the issue of such a rough terrible -- I guess I could say horrible Yukon section of the Dempster Highway to the Yukon government? I did raise this in May, and I know she mentioned that she was going to have talks with them. So I'm just wondering where we are with those talks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, squeaky wheels. I want to reassure the Member from Twin Lakes that both of us are advocating for this. We also have some of the Indigenous groups that are also advocating for this as well, and I know some of them have reached out to the Yukon government to be able to have further discussions on the border side to the Yukon.

And since the Member brought this up in last session, I've met with the Minister. We've had discussions on a path going forward, and I'm actually going back down to meet with the Minister in December. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister -- I think it's Vandal came up or was supposed to come up. I told the Premier I'd make the drive to Inuvik with -- up the Dempster Highway with him. But I'm just wondering with the Minister have they had these -- any of these discussions on this section just because it affects us as residents of the Northwest Territories but it doesn't really impact whether or not that road is upkept in the Yukon for their residents. So I'm just wondering where this Minister has had those talks with the federal minister. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do want to note that this summer, the Minister Vandal was in Inuvik, and I had an opportunity to travel with him up Tuktoyaktuk and we had a meeting there with the hamlet, the community corp, and it was a really good meeting and during that time, I also stressed concern about the Dempster Highway. You know, we are looking at investing into the Inuvik-Tuk Highway, and that we need to engage collaboratively with everybody involved to be able to have those discussions for the rest of the highway too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to pushing the federal government to fund in full the Mackenzie Valley, and I think this is not just for this Minister, I think it's for the Premier, we need to fund the Mackenzie Valley Highway, especially if the Yukon will not keep up their end. So if the Minister meets with the Yukon and they're not going to commit to anything tangible while we are in the 19th Assembly, then I suggest we move on and we start to work on our own highway. Mr. Speaker, the residents of the Beaufort Delta can no longer be ignored by this government, the Yukon government, the federal government. We cannot be stranded in the Beaufort Delta with this type of a highway just because it doesn't impact their residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do want to mention that the Mackenzie Valley Highway is one of my mandate items to be able to advance that project. And Mr. Speaker, we are advancing. We are looking at ways to be able to get this project going. For example, the developer's report is due in the next couple months. That kind of indicates what we need to do to be able to look at advancing the Mackenzie Valley Highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, advancing on paper or advancing on the ground; that's what I would like to see. I would like to see if the Minister will commit to pushing hard on this because I'd like to see it just like the Tuk Highway. I'd like to see it coming from -- you know, from the North and the South and let's meet in the middle, and let's get this highway done. Let's quit talking about it. I don't want to be dead and, like, you know, this is something that I know our previous leader from Sahtu talked about the Mackenzie Valley, and, you know, I think this government and the future -- the next government owe it to complete this highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do want to stress the developer's report and some of the work that kind of advises us on a path going forward. So this is something that we are looking at and working with Indigenous groups up along the valley as well, looking at a number of things. Northern, local businesses, and the list goes on. So, yes, this is something that -- and the Member knows that, I mean, we want the Mackenzie Valley Highway so bad. So that is something we're advancing. Thank you. So bad.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the 2019-23 GNWT mandate, in that mandate, they promised to build 25 new units each year from 20 to 23. Can the Minister update the House on the status of this work, and where are we -- are we on track to achieve this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister to Housing.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question as well too. And, yes, we are on track for the 25 units annually. We actually do have a 90-unit delivery. We will also -- Housing has also submitted an application to the federal government for an additional 12 seniors duplexes. That would be submitted hopefully on the ground with construction starting in 2023-2024.

I also just want to, just for the Member for the 90-unit delivery, for his riding, he would be receiving two units in Dettah, four units in Lutselk'e, two in N'dilo, and six in Fort Resolution. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The mandate document promises to implement a new policy to allow seniors and disabled individuals to access housing repairs by the summer of 2021. Can the Minister update the House on how many people have been helped with home repairs due to this policy change? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question as well too. And we are wanting to increase our programming and the dollars as well too. Within this government, we had increased our homeownership repair of $3 million for the Northwest Territories. I don't have the exact number on hand but we do see a significant increase. Also we did receive an additional $60 million over two years from the federal government. And a portion of that funding will be going towards public housing repair and homeownership repair throughout the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The mandate promises a lease-to-own policy for the winter of 2020 with an average of 25 leases to own homeownership agreements signed per year for 2020 and 2023. Can the Minister update this House on how many leases have been signed to date? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Homeownership is a priority of this government. As of to date, I want to say approximately 42 of those leases have been signed over. And I also just wanted to also reflect on our mission and our values as well too is that we did have a document that was tabled this year. And the values that I just want to identify is we are committed to be client-focused, working in collaboration, coming up with innovative programming, and looking at how we are going to be more accountable, looking at reconciliation, and looking at more of a stability for programs throughout the Northwest Territories. And I appreciate the questions coming forward because it really contributes to the changes of the way we are going to be doing business within Housing for the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned earlier that I was in the community of Lutselk'e for a constituency meeting and I had mothers came up to me that were crying and with a baby and couch surfing in the community. And it's really disturbing and hard to hear that from the community when you go there, and it's right throughout the whole Northwest Territories. You know, I'm just thinking, you know, this year we got $30 million from Ottawa, and next year as well. I'm assuming this money that has been already allocated, and probably even next year, but I'm just thinking in the spirit -- in the spirit of the document that I mentioned, the mandate letter, if there is a way that we could work with Indigenous governments to build new relationships. So given the difficulties of housing the NWT is having delivering these results, would the Minister commit to reallocating the recent $30 million of federal housing monies for this fiscal year and next fiscal year to no -- with no strings attached through a contribution agreement to support Indigenous governments leading housing strategies and programs in their own governments? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. I also want to highlight that with our work with the federal government, and I specifically want to mention Minister Vandal, Minister Hussen, and MP McLeod, together we were able to work very strongly in collaboration, recognizing the housing needs in the Northwest Territories, also highlighting that we have not had a replenishment of new public housing stock within the last four decades. We were successful in receiving to the Indigenous governments throughout the Northwest Territories $500 million. Housing NWT continues to work in collaboration with the Indigenous groups.

The other that I'm very interested in accomplishing is we've just signed an MOU with the Tlicho government on housing issues for their region. Also just recently with the Sahtu. And also we are in talks with the Gwich'in as well too and hopefully we're able to come to a common understanding on how we could further work together in addressing those housing issues in the Northwest Territories.

But I also want to take this time that Housing is trying to work very strongly in such a short time, also recognizing that we did work through COVID and we were still able to accomplish these successes for the people of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the Northwest Territories Association of Communities AGM, it was announced that the territory had an intent to sign an MOU with the Canadian Red Cross. Can the Premier please give us an update on where this MOU is at? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that when we met with the Association of Communities, it was brought up. I do want to say a shout out to the Red Cross; their work has been phenomenal. I know that I've made a commitment to meet with them, and I do believe that the departments are in discussions with them. But I will need to take notice on where exactly we are at with that discussion, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the Premier's update on the territorial MOU, and it is my hope that it will be a territorial MOU and not a health and social services MOU or a MACA MOU.

Given that the flooding occurred -- the Red Cross first got involved with us here this time around during the 2020-2021 flooding, can the Premier explain why she's taken so long to meet with the Red Cross given that I believe they made that request through the Minister of MACA about a year ago. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I'll take that question on notice so I can get the information that the MLA requested. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Lands.

The Tlicho government asked for a regional study of the so-called Slave Geological Province Corridor over a year ago, and a large workshop was held in June of this year. Can the Minister of Lands give us an update on the current status of proposed regional study? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.