Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Member for the question as well too. We did end up with technical issues with the final build of this, of the construction of the nine-plex in Fort Good Hope. We're looking at hopefully a date of December of this year for the nine-plex to be open. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, that's approaching about two years since it officially opened. Perhaps the Minister could just provide a bit more of an understanding of what the technical issues are or whether this will cost us more money. Is there a new tender going out. You know, and if this can be provided at a later date, that's fine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once the nine-plex was completed, we did end up finding some issues when reviewing those plans and those final statements.

But I want to also say that, you know, we had just finished with our COVID-19 pandemic, and we did have a delay in responding and looking at the repairs for this, for the nine-plex. And it was -- at that time, we weren't able to get contractors in as soon as we should have been able to.

So I'm hopefully -- I'm hopeful for December of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for Premier. Mr. Speaker, this is international news. July 2022, Pope Francis is going to be in Canada to make formal apology to the Indigenous people for the trauma experienced in residential school.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what is the GNWT plan in this process. What action -- assistance will the government do to help the survivors and families. Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's the right thing for the Pope to come to the Northwest Territories, to Canada to speak to the people that are survivors. I think that the Pope does deserve to give -- or the people deserve to get an apology from the Pope. However, the GNWT, Mr. Speaker, is not taking a forefront role in this visit from the Pope, but we are here to support Indigenous governments in any actions that they wish to pursue as this work goes forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you. Well, I was hoping that the GNWT would acknowledge and recognize the trauma the Indigenous people experienced. And we have a lot -- there's a lot of mental health issues. And I was hoping the GNWT would acknowledge and recognize.

And this is where I was going -- I was hoping that they were going to send delegates. The Indigenous government council from NWT, I was hoping that they will be attending and that they will be in charge of leading, bringing delegates to Edmonton, and that they will be paying for the full cost for people attending because that's -- I think that's the only right thing to do is for this government is to recognize and acknowledge that the trauma the Indigenous people experienced. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's just for comment. She doesn't need to reply. Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. I'll give the Premier an opportunity to respond. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, recognizing that the GNWT does stand with the Indigenous governments on the actions with this, my understanding is the Dene Nation has taken the lead in this work. And I will make a commitment that I will reach out to the leader of the Dene Nation, Grand Chief I believe, to be able to see what kind of assistance that he needs from the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question as well too. Those issues were discovered after the building was built. Right now we are dealing with those -- with this within the corporation -- within Housing NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.