Thank you. Mr. Fulford. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd just take a few steps further and say that moving in the direction of being more client-focused because as a process is a lynch pin of the renewal process. You'll see in the new mandate that committee saw earlier, and that was subsequently adopted early in 2022, that a value around client centeredness was identified. So one of six values that was identified that we thought had to be the focus of Housing NWT.

I've heard maybe questions earlier about what that means in terms of training LHOs because it takes some training; it takes some resources in some cases to get around to that point, and we're alive to that. We're reviewing the service agreement with LHOs with a view to getting more of their input this time around. In the past, it's been more of a template agreement. So we know that there are some of the changes that we're doing. They may require some additional resources and, as the president said, we would have to then seek the Minister's authority to come forward for additional funding for those. But we're content that we're moving in this direction. We've had not only this House tell us that. We've had the Ombud tell us that. We've had reports tell us that. And that all went into the renewal strategy and that's why we're moving in this direction. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Committee, we'll move on to Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to come back to the sort of training manual and move towards that empowering, I guess, clients to do repairs. And even as a homeowner myself, I could definitely use some help in, you know, how to keep maintaining my home better.

So my question, is there any move with this renewal or this client focus to bring back the idea of superintendents or people that are living within the public housing units that are then responsible more for, like, maintaining? So what would be a super back in the day they would call it, so somebody that lives in the building that then is responsible for maintenance and upkeep and sort of being that contact point between the department. And not necessarily being an employee but maybe getting a bit of a discount and that kind of a program. And I think it fits in well with this idea of sort of offering training to clients to do home repairs themselves. If you had sort of one person on site who has that kind of skill set and then is getting a little bit of a break, it creates almost a community and a network around repairs.

And then that comes back to the comment I made to the vice-president when he toured with me at Norseman was the sense of ownership. And I think that's what's missing in a lot of the buildings is that people don't take pride in where they're living because it's not their place. So I think that kind of a system may give that ownership back to the residents that then would, you know, perhaps cause a better uptake or upkeep of the building. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And it's just -- it's quite interesting because I've had this conversation throughout the territory as well too, and we're looking at unique positions. And I just wanted to just identify the one in Behchoko where we're identifying a community liaison position. But the aspects of that position is to basically include what the Member has spoken about as well. We need to improve that communication. We need to improve that pride between the tenants and their units as well too and also providing them the training. So through the renewal, I'm looking at changes going forward on how we could better communicate that and become more creative with positions that would try to work to eliminating those barriers. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you. And, yeah, I'm curious to see what the -- there's a lot of -- like, it's in the government renewal and then, you know, we have to sort of wait. And I mean I get that we're not going to see that in likely the term of this Assembly. So I'm hopeful that it's actually going to be tangible on-the-ground things instead of a great idea that just really doesn't go anywhere. So then I guess that kind of leads in again to sort of my next area of question is around the apprenticeships.

Again, I know that there's sort of a more formalized apprenticeship type program that comes along with the people doing the repairs in the department; however, maybe is there something in between where it's not like a formalized apprenticeship program but it is an area where maybe young people can come and use housing projects to get, you know, a feel for whether or not they're interested in carpentry or boiler mechanics, which I really struggle that any child is going to want to get into boiler mechanics. But, you know, I think there's an opportunity here when people or youth are identified in the community to have almost like a tag along type of program. And not just one day of the year but actually can go and work alongside or observe people doing repairs and getting themselves more interested in that field, and then maybe that will solve some of our future problems around having these types of workers available. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm quite excited for these set of questions because, you know, it just really changes the way that I want to see housing provide their programming and moving us more into a social program as well too. And I just want to go back to the community initiative funding program that was created in the last government by the Premier, that this has become very creative and a number of communities have actually wanted a position similar to what the Member has been describing. So I just wanted to comment on that.

And the other is the trades as well too. We've worked in some of the communities where we've had summer students and casual employees come up and see them through the apprenticeship programming. And we do fund, at the headquarters level, 12 positions, but then also the LHOs do receive funding within their budget as well. But it's really challenging to find the commitment. The commitment and to keep the positions.

The other thing I just want to quickly comment on -- I'm just going to cautious of the time as well -- is that we build these into our contracts as well too, to making sure that we do get the community members experienced on site and as these builds are being rolled out that they do gain employment. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that one of the things that I'm realizing, and I'm hearing from my colleagues, is there is a bit of a disconnect between LHOs and what they're telling people out there and sort of, I think, the direction and the want of the department. Like, it's my understanding these opportunities just really aren't available in all of the communities. And one of my colleagues just mentioned that to me. Also I have had instances where I have communications with the department about a client or a constituent's file, and then what they're being told from the LHO side is much different. And I think it comes back to what a lot of what my colleagues were talking about, and that's having the, you know, culturally appropriate and trained Indigenous workers actually working in the department versus a very -- what comes across was a very patriarchal colonial type method for dealing with people. And I think there's an element of compassion missing because when people are at a point where they're reaching out and trying to get help, and particularly to the LHO when it's your housing, your secure place to put your head at night and get a good night's sleep, there is a lot of what feels like abuse or disrespect or even racism in the responses that are coming back to people from the LHOs. So I don't know that I have a huge amount of a question in there other than I just really wanted to make sure that, you know, the Minister and the department are aware that while you may be telling us all this, I'm not sure it's translating to the LHOs and the LHAs. Thank you.

Thank you, Member. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to try to be very quick. But I appreciate the question coming forward as well because I've heard this a number of times throughout the Northwest Territories on our client service, and it's one of the areas I'm looking for significant improvement. And I've brought this back to the department that we need to improve our own communication between headquarters, a district office and the LHOs, and really understanding the priorities of that service agreement. So with the strategic renewal, I know the Members may get tired of hearing of it but it's the guiding document for us to continue those changes going forward and to show that we are committed to improving housing and the way that we deliver housing throughout the Northwest Territories.

And very quickly if I could get President Young just to elaborate on the trades positions. There is something exciting happening here in Yellowknife I just wanted her to elaborate very quickly on. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. President Young.

Thank you. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, just in regards to LHOs and the training, I guess sometimes I think our staff forget who they're working for. We work for the people of the Northwest Territories and all, everybody. There should be no favoritism, should just come and serve them and good enough. And I think that should go a long way in regards to that, in regards to staff training again. It has to be looked into. My office is getting too many complaints in regards to that.

And another one is in regards to the -- I guess the increase in heating fuel across. And would that come into effect in regards to raising our rental scale being increased for the people across the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to the Member for that. And like I had said, staff training is a priority as well too, and we need to do a better job of getting out there and really connecting with the local housing authorities, district offices, and to be supporting them in a better capacity.

I just wanted to talk about the heating fuel, that we do have an increase in our budget here to address heating fuel. There hasn't been any conversation about increasing rent due to inflation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Nunakput.

Madam Chair, in regards to the, I guess, inflation in regards to the rental scale, if this carbon tax goes through, there will be an increase. I'll guarantee it. And we're going to be wearing it if that comes up in regards to accepting that Bill C-60. And I think that before it goes to -- I guess brought up into the floor of the House in regards to that, I mean, we have to look at all aspects of what the increase is going to be to our constituents and the cost inflation on everything right across the board. I think the Minister -- I think you should really talk to our staff in regards to that because I'll guarantee you next year this time they're going to be coming back with increases over the year. So that being said, the programs that -- that's a comment.

But the programs that we are giving with the housing, the homeownership programs, I had a constituent for two and a half -- almost two a half years trying to get stuff sorted out. I've been going back and forth with the Minister's office and I'm -- hopefully it's finally done. I never heard from my client so I'm assuming it's done. And I just wish it would be a lot better service in regards to providing service and getting things done, you know. We only had 56 applicants out of 2900 homes. You know, it shouldn't take two years, two and a half years almost, of our time. You know, getting calls. I wear it just like the Minister. I had to wear it. I stuck up for the department. I'm working, I'm working with it, but it takes that long and I'm hoping it's dealt with now. I haven't had no call back.

And that being said, another one is you know when our community leaders come into the community -- or come into Yellowknife for meetings with our Minister, if any of our Ministers, and they're saying they're going to follow up with them, follow up with them because I wear it too. Again, trying to -- I take the shots just like with the government in regards to when they don't follow through with their meetings or what they promise in regards to any kind of the programs that they're doing, we have to -- we push and push and push until, you know, you can't -- you don't even want to talk about it. But you're still getting heck on the other side of the phone saying what's going on here; why aren't they doing this? So any of my Ministers across there, you're saying something to one of -- you know, any of our mayors or community corp chairs or whatever, please, please do your job. Get your staff -- you have enough staff to help you to get your job done. But that's, like -- you know, I can go on and on. I'm not satisfied with this department. I mean, I'm telling you, Madam Chair. We're hurting. Communities need houses. All I've been hearing out of this whole two years, two and a half years since COVID, how -- one was COVID. Two, now we try to build houses. The announcement keeps coming over and over and over. Where's the houses? Announcement's there through the federal government. Nothing. Show me the houses. Like, you drive down -- if you're down south, you see all these houses on the side of the road. Get them, buy them all, bring them up. It's a -- you know, you want houses. That's the way you're going do it. CMHC too. CMHC's all lip service. We had them up in Tuk a few years ago, those guys. They come in. They listen. They say same thing. They'll promise you the world until they jump on that plane and leave the community. Nothing. No follow through. And that's got to stop here. Tired of lip service. We need houses. Communities need houses. We need service. Serve us, please. Thank you.

Thank you, Member. I didn't hear any question in there. Did you have any questions left for the Minister?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm really -- I'm passionate about my people. They're suffering in regards to small communities. We got people that are homeless. That's another question. How many houses do we have under the homeless shelter -- shelters in the community for homeless people right now in my riding? Do we have houses allocated furnished and ready to go? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Minister of Housing.