This is page numbers 5215 - 5258 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was housing.

Topics

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs in regards to the sport physical activity and recreation framework and thank you to the Member for Nunakput for also raising this today.

Mr. Speaker, my first question is MACA's 2022-2023 business plan reports that the SPAR, or Sport Physical Activity and Recreation Framework, would be finalized in 2022-2023 and implemented in 2023-2024. At this point in time, I'm not aware that MACA has, in fact, released this SPAR framework. So can the Minister clarify by what date we can expect to see the SPAR framework finalized and implemented, and will we see it in the life of the 19th Assembly? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for MACA.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member's correct that MACA is currently doing engagement and has met -- or is planning to meet with sport and recreation organizations, Indigenous governments, NGOs working with underserved populations, community coaches, and territorial sport organizations. After engagement, the department will publish a “what we heard” report by June 2023 follows the release of the SPAR framework. If the engagement work advances positively, my intent is to approve the new SPAR framework this Assembly, but it will depend on what we've heard -- or what we've heard through the engagement and how much is required to address this engagement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, work on the SPAR framework has been significantly delayed. The RFP to develop a framework went out originally in August of 2018. A $60,000 contract was awarded in September 2018 but then, according to the business plan, in 2020 MACA became aware of concerns that the framework didn't adequately address recommendations 87 to 91 of the TRC's final report. Those calls to action include ensuring sports policies are linked to health and well-being, providing stable funding for and access to community support programs.

So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide more details on why the GNWT procured a SPAR framework that didn't account for the calls to action, and can he confirm that the updated SPAR framework, when it arrives, will actually reflect these calls to action properly? Thank you.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, so when we brought it in 2023 [sic] prior to the pandemic, the one thing we noticed it did not identify the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action, specifically recommendations 87 to 91. So MACA has taken this feedback and included this work we are now undertaking now to update the SPAR framework. My expectation is that specific actions will be included in the final SPAR framework. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm very appreciative that the GNWT has a contracts website where we can easily see and kind of keep tabs on what's going on with certain contracts within the GNWT because it now appears that a new tender for the SPAR framework opened and closed in June of 2022, then it changed from closed to cancelled in September of 2022. I'm troubled by this because, luckily, I'm hearing from the Minister that this is supposed to be done, but this is really important work that's being done here. For example, when the Standing Committee on Social Development put forward their review of the Child and Family Services Act in the March 2022 sitting, one of our recommendations actually called on the government to create more activities for family and youth across the territory. This is something we've heard time and time again in all of our community engagement from the Standing Committee on Social Development. And when we received a response from the government, it actually hinged on -- sorry, Mr. Speaker. The recommendation actually hinged on the finalization of this SPAR framework. And so it is so important, not only to this House but to the people of the Northwest Territories.

So can the Minister please just confirm why the tender was cancelled and generally tell this House how MACA ensures that this work is going to be done? This work needs to be done. This work is important to the people that we all serve. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Minister responsible for MACA.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I would get her to write my Minister's statement because that's exactly how I feel about this.

Mr. Speaker, what happened is we went out. Nobody bid on the contract. Nobody did. So we had to cancel it because there was nobody interested. Fortunately I can say that we have somebody that's interested -- or a company that's interested. We're very happy with the people that are doing it. They already started the work. So we're hoping it's going to be successful and we're hoping that it -- like I said this year, hopefully, be able to get this SPAR framework done and ready to go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Kam Lake.

Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: 2021-2022 Public Accounts, Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23 and 29, Minister's Statement 264-19(2), Tabled Document 681-19(2), Tabled Document 694-19(2), and Tabled Document 613-19(2), with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Madam la Presidente. Committee wishes to deal with Tabled Document 813-19(2), 2023-2024 Main Estimates, Housing NWT. Mahsi.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will take a short recess and resume with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 813-19(2), 2023-2024 Main Estimates. We will now consider the estimates for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Please note we consider the main estimates. I will be referring -- while we will be considering the main estimates, I will be referring to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation rather than Housing Northwest Territories as the name has not been legally changed.

Also, please remember that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is included in the main estimates as an information item and the totals are not voteable. We will review these estimates as we will for all other departments; however, we will not vote on the totals.

If Members have comments or questions, they can be raised at the appropriate time. Does the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation have any opening remarks?

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Yes, I do, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Go ahead.

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

I am here to present the 2023-2024 Main Estimates for Housing NWT. Overall, the corporation's estimates propose an increase of $12.97 million over the 2022-2023 Main Estimates. These estimates support the mandate objectives for Housing NWT while continuing to meet the GNWT's fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.

Highlights of these proposed main estimates include the following:

  • $4 million on-going allocation from the Government of the Northwest Territories to increase funding for Housing NWT's homeownership programs for private households and provide incremental operating funding to support the delivery of 100 new public housing units for the territory;
  • $121,000 of on-going forced growth funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories. This includes a $82,000 increase in funding for inflationary increases on contributions with local housing organizations and a $39,000 increase in funding for inflationary increases on contributions with third-party affordable housing providers being funded under the social housing agreement;
  • $3.1 million one-time internally funded allocation for forced growth requirements related to utility rate increases;
  • $3 million one-time initiative funding allocation for priority minor repairs for public housing units and replacement of public housing fuel tanks with federal funding support;
  • $1.25 million of one-time initiative funding for additional investment in the community housing support initiative program with federal funding support;
  • $500,000 of one-time Initiative funding to deliver additional maintenance management and accounting systems training for local housing organizations with federal funding support; and,
  • An additional $900,000 increase to the annual amortization expense budget to recognize additional new housing assets being brought into service.

These estimates continue to support the priority of the 19th Legislative Assembly and a vision of Budget 2023 by:

    • Fostering strategic partnership, including those with federal and Indigenous governments, to increase the number of affordable homes and reduce core housing needs, especially for seniors and vulnerable persons;
    • Reduce the cost of power by investing in energy efficient solutions for both new construction and repairs; and,
    • Delivering increased opportunities for homeownership.

This concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair. Mahsi.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Do you wish to bring witnesses into the House?

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Yes, I do. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

Minister, could you please introduce your witnesses.

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. To the left of me, I have Ms. Eleanor Young, president and CEO of Housing NWT. And vice-president Jim Martin, Housing NWT. Mahsi.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Committee has agreed to forego general comments. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?