Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS Housing Northwest Territories is building a new 50-unit affordable housing complex on 50th Street in Yellowknife, located between the Gold Range Bistro and the Raven Pub;

AND WHEREAS it is hoped that occupancy can take place in late 2026 or early 2027 to help families with affordable housing;

AND WHEREAS the new affordable housing complex is being supported by a contribution of $20.8 million through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Rapid Housing Initiative in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the land for this initiative was donated by the city of Yellowknife as their contribution of help meet the needs of affordable housing opportunities in the city;

AND WHEREAS Housing Northwest Territories will be the owner this building and, once completed, it is intended to also house the future office of the Yellowknife Housing Authority;

AND WHEREAS this 50-unit affordable housing complex will be one part of the mosaic of solutions helping those who are experiencing affordability, homelessness, and other housing challenges in the North;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has guidelines for selecting names of Government of the Northwest Territories-owned office buildings;

AND WHEREAS the executive council of the Government of the Northwest Territories is well within its authority to waive their building naming policy and directly name this new building;

AND WHEREAS the guidelines for selecting names of Government of the Northwest Territories-owned office buildings do not apply to Government of the Northwest Territories-owned buildings designed primarily to deliver programs and services to the public;

AND WHEREAS the late Anthony Wilfred James Whitford (Tony), originally from the town of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, as a young Metis man started his journey with humble beginnings, with a lifelong history of public service, dedication and advocacy for Northerners;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Range Lake, that the executive council of the Government of the Northwest Territories name the new 50-unit affordable housing complex on 50th Street in Yellowknife the Anthony (Tony) W.J. Whitford Building;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories respond to this motion in 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.