This Hansard has not been finalized - this is the "Blues" in Parliamentary speak, or unedited transcript in regular speak.

This Hansard is the unedited transcript and will be replaced by the final copy soon (generally within 5 business days). In the meantime, direct quotes should not be used, when the final is published it will seamlessly replace this unedited copy and any existing links should still work.

This is from the 20th Assembly, 1st 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 know.

Topics

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the MLA is asking about elders, and this is something she's brought up over the last number of months with many elders that are falling into arrears. I'm sure there's many reasons why elders are falling into arrears, and she has kind of explained some of those reasons. And housing does some analysis with it and does work with clients into why they are falling into arrears. There is some counselling available to clients, especially those elders. So we can provide more information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are elders -- elderly people in my region and in other regions in the NWT who want to become homeowners but are not able to due to arrears. So what is the Minister doing to encourage homeowners for clients over 60 years old? Thank you.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our district offices, as well as headquarters, Housing NWT headquarters, would provide information to clients that are interested in becoming homeownership clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Can the Minister fast track the homeownership process for clients over 60 years old? Thank you.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We'd have to consider any application. There is a process for that application, and we have to follow the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Minister of Housing NWT. Final supplementary. Member for Monfwi.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason why I said -- I asked that question is because many of the elders are aging and time is of essence. So can the Minister of Housing write off the arrears for clients over 60 years old? Thank you.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a number of clients that are on the arrears list for Housing NWT. Across the North, we have many clients that are on the arrears list. Housing NWT does review this file annually, so I'd be pleased to meet with the MLA to discuss a case-by-case for elders that have arrears with Housing NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 184-20(1): Affordable Housing for Elders
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Minister of Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member from the Deh Cho.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Sheryl Yakeleya

Sheryl Yakeleya Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I mentioned the two motions that I brought forward in February on recognizing housing as a fundamental human right in the NWT. It has been 90 days since I brought this motion forward -- these motions forward.

Can the Minister of Housing NWT advise when she intends to table a response to those motions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with the accepted Legislative Assembly conventions, Housing NWT is completing its research and work on the motion and will table a response at the beginning of the next sitting of the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Sheryl Yakeleya

Sheryl Yakeleya Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year, former Premier Cochrane tabled, A Way Home, a Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister speak to the status on how the implementation of that housing strategy is going and explain what has transpired since it was tabled? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT is supporting the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, who is the lead on implementation of A Way Home. Housing NWT is supporting the work of an interdepartmental working group to implement that strategy, and our work has included supporting statistical analysis on homelessness, preparing for transition of shelters, and some programs currently implemented by Housing NWT, as well as working on looking for partnership solutions to see housing built to better meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Sheryl Yakeleya

Sheryl Yakeleya Deh Cho

Thank you. Thank you to the Minister for that response. Mr. Speaker, in reference to A Way Home, can the Minister explain what actions Housing NWT is doing in its engagement with other departments in establishing stronger wraparound supports for people living in public housing across the NWT? Thank you.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as noted in today's Minister statement, Housing NWT has established four formal partnership agreements, as well as supporting many informal arrangements, with funding for projects and working on community housing plans. Although still under development, housing is supporting such ideas as supportive housing projects, tiny home projects, and other programs that will support vulnerable populations in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing. Final supplementary. Member from Deh Cho.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Sheryl Yakeleya

Sheryl Yakeleya Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain what work has been done so far since the 20th Assembly in terms of working to create partnerships and increase collaboration with Indigenous governments to improve housing in newer ways? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

Lucy Kuptana

Lucy Kuptana Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as noted earlier, Housing NWT has signed a collaborative agreement with the Gwich'in Tribal Council since the beginning of the 20th Assembly. Housing NWT has also had meetings with communities, such as Fort Resolution, to discuss either formal or informal agreements to work together on housing priorities. We continue to work with housing working groups established in communities, such as Fort Good Hope, to support work of the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society. Housing NWT is also working with community organizations on community housing support initiatives to complete projects that are community priorities. Housing NWT has also amended that program to allow for it to be used for SEED funding to help organizations hire capacity to apply on funding programs being offered by Canada or other external organizations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 185-20(1): Addressing Homelessness and Housing as a Human Right
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Oral Questions

George Nerysoo

George Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of MACA. Every community within the Northwest Territories should be accommodated at the same rate. Aklavik is no different. For years, the community has been left out of major projects with the Government of the Northwest Territories. I'd like to see the Minister and his department step up and assist the community of Aklavik in saving the shoreline within its municipal boundaries for future use.

Can the Minister and his department look at ways to finance the restoration of the shoreline, whether it be with other departments, or give us direction through federal government programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Oral Questions

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Oral Questions

Vince McKay

Vince McKay Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of other communities that have reached out for funding for emergency remediation on banks, riverbanks, and berms and stuff like that, like that of Hay River. So I will look into it with the department and see what we can do for your community. Thank you.

Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Oral Questions

George Nerysoo

George Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister look at sending a team of engineers to the community to see how the road can be restored? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Oral Questions

May 27th, 2024

Vince McKay

Vince McKay Hay River South

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'm just notified that the Department of Infrastructure is working with MACA to work with the community on getting some funds available to do some work. Thank you.