Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Member from the Deh Cho.

Further to recommendations,

Recommendation 10

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories present a legislative proposal by mid-2026 to significantly modernize the Northwest Territories' Residential Tenancies Act. The amendments should be centered on the right to adequate housing and provide clear guidance to tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities.

Recommendation 11

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories conduct an operational review of the Northwest Territories Rental Office, including whether it is accessible for tenants and landlords, whether it is adequately staffed, and whether access to justice through the Northwest Territories Legal Aid Commission is integrated within the roles and responsibilities of the Rental Office.

Recommendation 12

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories work with Housing Northwest Territories and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to develop and endorse a draft definition of the housing continuum that reflects the northern context. This preliminary northern housing definition should incorporate Indigenous understandings of housing and home and support a reframing of housing policy and funding models to align with the lived realities of northern communities. Committee encourages the use of the alternative framework developed through the “At Home in the North” project led by Dr. Julia Christensen. It is further recommended that Housing Northwest Territories publicly release this draft definition by the end of 2026 to support ongoing dialogue and policy development.

Recommendation 13

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories reassess its role in providing homeownership programs in communities that are initiating their own locally led housing programs. Where there are locally led initiatives, the Government should redirect its investments to empower Indigenous Government-led or other locally led homeownership programs that offer cultural and community specific supports.

Recommendation 14

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories reinstate the 1980's Homeownership Assistance Program, with modern adjustments to reflect current needs. Committee further recommends the Government implement the “northern transitional homeownership model “which was presented to Committee.

Recommendation 15

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories review municipal funding policies administered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to ensure they do not create barriers to community-directed housing initiatives, including staff housing, and to commit to a timeline for when this review will be complete.

Recommendation 16

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories review the current housing policy environment to identify and implement new or expanded incentives that support the development of affordable market housing.

Recommendation 17

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories expedite the developmental of a Territorial Building Code to encourage the development of safe and appropriate housing and to dismantle barriers to building in the north and to publicly commit to the timelines necessary for this work to be brought forward.

Recommendation 18

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement a territorial trades strategy for housing-related trades that offers training and certification programs for local residents and builds long-term capacity. This program should establish an agency of tradespeople to ensure access to services across the territory and should subsidize contractors travelling to remote communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that my committee colleague, the Member for Yellowknife North, read the next section. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Deh Cho. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and to my colleague.

Recommendation 19

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories sign Memorandums of Understanding with Indigenous Governments who have settled land claims with land use policies to encourage housing development.

Recommendation 20

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop policies that improve coordination between Housing NWT and other GNWT departments to remove barriers to housing development. This includes urgently increasing the supply of land suitable for residential construction, simplifying land use planning and approval processes, and embedding climate adaptation into land development strategies.

Recommendation 21

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories, through Housing Northwest Territories, collaborate with Local Housing Organizations to revise their repair and maintenance policies in a manner that empowers public housing tenants to undertake minor repairs and maintenance themselves where appropriate.

Recommendation 22

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide adequate funding and investment in the development of transitional housing and in strengthening the shelter and safe home system in small communities of the Northwest Territories to relieve the burden on the Yellowknife shelter system. As the first step to achieve this, the Government of the Northwest Territories should develop a costed action plan, outlining specific action steps each with an assigned budget and timeline, and table this in the House within the 20th Legislative Assembly.

Recommendation 23

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories create a 24-hour shelter in the city of Yellowknife, either through an existing or new program, to ensure wraparound supports are accessible for those utilizing homelessness shelter spaces to move along the housing continuum.

Recommendation 24

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories create 24-hour shelters in communities across the territory, prioritized according to the urgency of shelter needs in the communities, to ensure wraparound supports are accessible for those utilizing homelessness shelter spaces to move along the housing continuum.

Recommendation 25

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories review and implement strategies to assist non-profit and charitable organizations with contracts to provide social housing or Housing First, with the rise of insurance costs, specifically for their rental housing programs.

Recommendation 26

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories actively collaborate with municipalities and communities across the territory to develop and implement a standardized encampment protocol. This protocol should prioritize the safety and dignity of individuals living in tent encampments, while also ensuring respectful coexistence with neighbouring residents, properties, and public spaces. Establishing clear guidelines and responsibilities will help prevent conflict, support vulnerable populations, and promote community well-being.

Recommendation 27

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories work with the federal government to ensure that funding mechanisms, such as those established under the Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, provide direct and equitable funding to Indigenous Governments and organizations, including those with both settled and unsettled land claims. This approach is necessary to address and reduce funding disparities between regions and to support equitable access to housing resources for all Indigenous peoples across the Northwest Territories.

Recommendation 28

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories collaborate with the Yukon Government and the Government of Nunavut to develop a unified pan territorial advocacy plan. This plan should be used to advocate to the Government of Canada to ensure that federal policies and funding are better aligned with Northern realities and Indigenous perspectives in light of federal strategies (i.e. Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy) and funding that continues to fall short in reaching the housing needs of northerners.

Recommendation 29

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories incorporate the recommendations contained in this report into its proposed 3-Year Housing Plan. Committee expects the Housing Plan to clearly demonstrate how each recommendation is being addressed, including the actions to be taken, anticipated outcomes, and timelines for implementation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that my committee colleague, the Member for Range Lake, read the next section.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.

Recommendation 30

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories, through Housing Northwest Territories, enhance transparency and reporting of distinction-based funding allocations to ensure that the needs of each community and the overall advancement of housing in the territory are being met.

Recommendation 31

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories establish a mechanism to more equitably assess eligibility for homeownership programs. These programs should take into account individual circumstances, particularly in cases involving outstanding mortgage and rental arrears, to ensure that the programs are responsive to the complex realities faced by residents.

Recommendation 32

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide more transparency surrounding the specific age and condition of housing units allowable under the Homeownership Initiative Policy, and publicly publish the age of public housing units that have been deemed eligible for the Homeownership Initiative Program.

Recommendation 33

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories reform the housing appeals process to support the progressive realization of the right to housing and ensure more inclusive, transparent, and efficient oversight. This necessarily includes:

• That all appeals under Public Housing and Homeownership Programs bypass the District Director and proceed directly to the Housing Appeal Committee to streamline the process and reduce administrative burden and barriers;
• That the composition of the Housing Appeal Committee be revised to require membership of individuals with lived experience of homelessness or housing need, and where possible, individuals with expertise in human rights, to ensure a more representative and rights-based approach to decision-making.

Recommendation 34

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories transition all current housing rating systems to a rights-based approach, focusing on ensuring fair and equitable access to housing for all, particularly those in greatest need. This should involve prioritizing vulnerable groups, promoting non-discrimination, and empowering tenants in the housing process

Recommendation 35

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories review the Public Housing Tenant Eligibility Policy to ensure that it provides those ineligible for public housing a clear and time-bound response to how they could have their eligibility reinstated.

Recommendation 36

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories revise the Community Housing Plan policy to include capacity-building supports tailored to community needs. This should include additional human, financial, and technical resources to support implementation of housing plans.

Recommendation 37

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories conduct an audit of the Small Community Homelessness Fund to determine and report on its overall policy performance.

Recommendation 38

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories revise and adjust the eligible income thresholds for co-payment for the Senior Home Repair Program, the Seniors Aging in Place Program, and the Home Repair Program based on inflation and cost of living increases, and review every 3 years thereafter.

Recommendation 39

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories review and revise the eligible properties for the Senior Home Repair Program, the Seniors Aging in Place Program, the Home Repair Program, and the Preventative Maintenance Program, specifically expanding the eligibility coverage of each policy to include primary residences outside municipal boundaries.

Recommendation 40

The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review the Disposal of Residential Property Policy to ensure that Housing Northwest Territories' assets located on treaty territory, and subject to disposal under the policy, provide Indigenous governments with the first right of refusal.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that further reading of this report be handed over to our committee chair, the Member from Monfwi. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Range Lake, that the remainder of the Committee Report 29-20(1), Standing Committee on Social Development's Report on Housing as a Human Right, be deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion carried, except for some of the commentary in the peanut gallery.

---Carried

Member from Monfwi.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Range Lake, that Committee Report 29-20(1), Standing Committee on Social Development's Report on Housing as Human Right, be received by the Assembly and referred to the Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, member from Monfwi. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion has been carried.

---Carried

Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Returns to oral questions. Acknowledgements. Member from Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move item 14, tabling of documents, up in the order paper to number 9. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Thebacha. The Member from Thebacha is seeking unanimous concept to move 14 up to 9. Any nays? Seeing no nays. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Legal Aid Commission of the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2024-2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Tabling of documents.

Thank you, colleagues. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain whether or not our NWT boreal forest is still acting as a carbon sink. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.