Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm here to present Bill 65, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act.

On April 1st, 2022, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation publicly changed its name to Housing NWT. The bill will amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act to legally implement the name change for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to Housing NWT, and it is intended to take effect April 1st, 2023.

While Bill 56 is only intended to formalize the name change to Housing NWT, it is part of the larger renewal process that is currently underway of Housing NWT. Work on the renewal has been done with the participation of the Council of Leaders housing working group and took into account recommendations contained in the Legislative Assembly's Motion 30-19(2), Actions for Improved Housing Outcomes.

The name change was one of 40 proposed changes arising from the renewal. This renewal has and is being carried out in accordance with the strategy for the renewal of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. A more comprehensive review of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act is identified in the strategy; however, it was noted in the strategy that due to the time constraints, a comprehensive review of the Act itself would likely carry over to the 20th Legislative Assembly.

A substantive review of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act during the 20th Legislative Assembly was also specifically identified as one of the 41 proposed program and policy recommendations arising from the renewal and discussions with the Council of Leaders housing working group.

Despite the focus on policies and programs, the renewal process has identified several potential changes to the Act but there has not yet been developed in detail and require further discussion with our partners and stakeholders.

To move forward with these and potential changes yet-to-be identified in a hurried manner will not serve the public interest or Housing NWT's mandate values of collaboration and reconciliation. Some changes may reference Indigenous self-government and may involve significant analysis, legal advice, and input from stakeholders.

Failing to move forward with the legislated name change also carries some risks, such as unnecessary public confusion and increased costs. While the program and policy changes Housing NWT has been announcing are substantive and go to the core of Housing NWT's mandate, they do not hinge on further changes to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act.

I hope that with the context, the committee is prepared to move forward with Bill 56 on the understanding of the comprehensive review of the Act, with public, Indigenous governments and stakeholder engagements is intended to occur during the 20th Legislative Assembly.

I look forward to continuing to work with all Members of this Legislative Assembly on the renewal of Housing NWT to reach our shared goal of improving housing outcomes for NWT residents. Mahsi.