Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I wish to thank the Member for Deh Cho and the Member for Range Lake for bringing this motion. Like the previous motion, it raises important considerations.
First, I note that the motion calls for amendments to the Housing Northwest Territories Act as an action item related to the strategic renewal of Housing NWT. During the 19th Assembly, Housing NWT committed to pursuing a substantive review of the Housing Northwest Territories Act. I am happy to confirm that remains the intention of this government.
Mr. Speaker, I also appreciate and agree with the emphasis that this motion places on the importance of the NWT Housing Forum, which is another product of the strategic renewal of Housing NWT.
The NWT Housing Forum was established in early 2023 as a multilateral forum for cooperation and collaboration between Housing NWT and Indigenous governments on housing. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Forum has already played a key role in the policy and program review that was conducted jointly with Housing NWT between 2021 and 2023 during the 19th Assembly. The NWT Housing Forum continues to meet to promote cooperation and collaboration between Housing NWT and Indigenous governments on housing. In fact, it met again just yesterday. It is already doing some of the things that this motion calls for. However, it is important to note that the NWT Housing Forum is not the GNWT's to direct. It is co-led by Housing NWT and the Indigenous government and its mandate involves more than providing Housing NWT with feedback. Participation in the NWT Housing Forum is voluntary and flexible, and I note it may not lend itself to a legislated approach. Of course, any changes to the structure or foundation of the NWT Housing Forum would need to be considered carefully in conjunction with the Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories that jointly established it.
Mr. Speaker, as this motion contains recommendations to the government, Cabinet will be abstaining to carefully consider the recommendations called for in this motion. We look forward to reviewing the recommendations and providing a full response within 120 days. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.