Debates of Feb. 6th, 2026

Please be seated. I'd like to thank Mary Jane Cazon for the beautiful prayer and reflection this morning. Ministers' statements. Minister for Housing NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT continues to repair, retrofit, and construct housing across the Northwest Territories at a rapid pace, establishing a strong economic foundation in the North and more homes for Northerners, two of this government's top priorities.

In the two years of this government, 81 new homes have been built, many of them for seniors and singles in communities outside regional centres. Singles and seniors are two priority groups susceptible to core housing need and vulnerable to forms of homelessness as determined in the preliminary findings of Housing NWT's recent territorial housing needs assessment.

An additional 219 housing units are in the planning, procurement, and construction stages, demonstrating the results of historic investments being made in housing by this government and Canada.

Alongside new construction activity, Housing NWT continues to invest in retrofits, repairs, and maintenance of existing housing to improve conditions. With the additional funding support of the Government of the Northwest Territories over the next three years, we will spend more than $30 million to repair over 600 homes.

These repair projects support local employment and trades training opportunities across the Northwest Territories, including the development of apprentices working through a decentralized Housing NWT trades team pilot and with local housing organizations and NWT contractors.

Mr. Speaker, over 95 percent of Housing NWT contracts are with local and NWT businesses, providing a range of economic opportunities in communities across the Northwest Territories.

For example, this fall, Housing NWT signed a contract for 84 homes to be manufactured by METCAN Building Solutions, a majority Indigenous-owned modular manufacturer based in Hay River. This contract will support sustained local work as these modular homes are produced, transported, and set up in communities across the territory over the coming two and a half years.

Housing NWT has also signed contracts with Indigenous governments, including a contract which will support the K'ahsho Got'ine trades centre, a local modular manufacturing and trades training centre in Fort Good Hope. Through this contract, the trades centre will manufacture four homes for the social housing program, with materials arriving on the winter road. Over the next two and a half years, eight local work assignments will be supported through this project, helping build skills, capacity and long-term benefit for residents of Fort Good Hope.

In Fort Smith, the business arm of the Fort Smith Metis Council is constructing a duplex, with work continuing through the winter. This contract demonstrates Housing NWT's commitment to partnership and economic opportunities through its capital delivery.

Housing NWT also continues to engage with Tlicho businesses through the GNWT and Tlicho Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement. Currently, five modular homes are in production and another ten are in the planning phase. In addition to these construction projects, Tlicho businesses are involved in Housing NWT's repair and maintenance projects. This work, taken together, provides regional opportunity for capacity building and economic benefit.

In addition to these modular manufacturing initiatives, Housing NWT has developed a hybrid method of construction that optimizes the potential of modular manufacturing for a compact service core with onsite work to complete the full home. Two proof-of-concept duplexes using this method are in the final stages of commissioning in Deline.

Housing NWT continues to work in partnership with industry and Canada's National Research Council to refine the concept in preparation for future scalability.

Housing NWT continues to demonstrate innovation in housing delivery by using modern methods of construction. An example of this is the 50-unit mixed-use building in Yellowknife, where off-site production of mass-timber and building envelope elements are proceeding during the winter months, and will allow for rapid assembly of the structure in the spring.

Mr. Speaker, the projects underway represent an enormous effort by this government to prioritize housing. We are building more, and we are moving towards delivering services in person-centered, data-driven ways to improve social outcomes. This is a result of strong collaboration by Members of this House and reflects a strength in government that I am proud to be a part of. This collaboration and funding continues to bring us towards improving the suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing in the Northwest Territories.

I want to emphasize that these investments reflect only a portion of the work that is underway. Housing NWT continues to actively leverage existing capital funding to expand the capital program. I look forward to sharing plans for further housing developments in the near future, and will continue to share progress as we deliver more homes for Northerners. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, across the Northwest Territories, residents want better access to primary and community care that feels safe, respectful, and connected to culture and community. Indigenous residents have been clear about the harm, discrimination, and inequities that they continue to experience in the health and social services system. These experiences affect trust, access, and health outcomes in ways that cannot be ignored. This is why our government is working in partnership with Indigenous governments to transform how health care is designed and delivered in the Northwest Territories.

One of the steps in this work was Following the North Star: Primary Health Care Reimagined Together, a summit held in Yellowknife from January 20th to 22nd. The summit brought together Indigenous governments, leaders in health and social services, and partners from across the Northwest Territories and other northern, rural, and remote regions of Canada.

I joined the participants and toured the interactive learning exhibit supported by the department's community, culture and innovation team. I want to acknowledge the elders, organizers, partners, and artists whose leadership grounded the event and strengthened relationships.

Mr. Speaker, the cultural safety and antiracism exhibit was emotional and powerful. For many participants, it reflected truths their families and communities have carried for generations. It showed how colonial policies and systemic racism still shape Indigenous peoples' experiences in health and social services. It also affirmed the strength of Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways of knowing as central to healing and wellness.

The summit created space for honest conversations and new thinking about primary and community care that reflects northern realities and Indigenous priorities. Participants learned from promising models of care in other jurisdictions and discussed how they could be adapted to our communities. What we heard will help shape the primary and community health care framework scheduled for release this spring.

This work continues through the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders health and social services working group. The working group supports a partnership between Indigenous governments and the GNWT that honours Indigenous authority and community priorities. It recognizes that sustainable solutions must be rooted in Indigenous knowledge, strengths, and lived experience.

I also want to acknowledge the Health Care Excellence Canada for their support of the summit and their commitment to Indigenous-led, equity-focused improvements to care.

Mr. Speaker, Indigenous approaches to health and wellness were described as our North Star. They set the direction for change and they remind us that there must be accountability for cultural safety and equity across the system. For residents, this means working towards care that feels safer, more connected, and closer to home.

Throughout the summit, Indigenous governments spoke with honesty about moments when they did not feel heard in past processes or did not experience collaboration as balanced. Their guidance is essential. The future of primary and community care must be shaped through Indigenous leadership and shared decision-making. Our government reaffirms its commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supporting Indigenous self-determination in health.

Mr. Speaker, the summit is one step in a long journey, transforming primary and community care that will take time and continued partnership. Our goal is healthy people and communities, where Indigenous residents, and all residents, experience care that is culturally safe, community centered, and responsive to their needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Ministers' statements. Minister of ITI.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about opportunity - opportunity that strengthens communities, creates pathways to employment and entrepreneurship, and positions Northerners to capitalize on the heightened national and international interest in the North. As the Minister of Finance said in yesterday's budget address, a strong Northwest Territories builds a stronger Canada, and that strength begins with our people and the opportunities before them.

Across the Northwest Territories, people are looking for practical ways to build their careers, grow their skills, or start a business. They want to contribute to the future of the territory and to be part of the economic shifts underway. Our government is committed to clearing the path and ensuring that Northerners can seize the opportunities that Budget 2026 describes - opportunities tied to a changing global landscape, new economic pressures, and increasing national attention on the North's strategic importance.

Entrepreneurs and small businesses are central to this work. They create jobs, deliver services, and bring forward ideas that keep communities vibrant and resilient. When local businesses succeed, they help ensure that Northerners, not outside forces, shape the story of the North.

As the budget address underscored, sovereignty is expressed through our people, and supporting northern businesses is one of the most direct ways to strengthen both our economy and our role in Canada's future.

Mr. Speaker, advancing these pathways requires strong collaboration across government. That is why the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment; Industry, Tourism and Investment; and Prosper NWT are working together to support employment readiness, business development, and long-term economic growth. Today, I am pleased to highlight two initiatives that reflect this integrated approach and align directly with the momentum described in the territorial budget.

First, Prosper NWT has increased its lending and investment limit from $2 million to $5 million per business enterprise in the priority areas of housing, critical minerals, large-scale infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

This increase is a major step forward; one that opens the door to bigger ideas, larger projects, and economic transformation. It responds directly to what businesses have told us for years: The North needs more capital to grow.

Second, Prosper NWT has secured $2.3 million over three years from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency to establish the AI Driven Entrepreneurship and Business Support Centre. This centre will help northern businesses adopt new tools, streamline operations, and access emerging economic opportunities. It also supports the budget's focus on supporting a diversified economy and ensuring Northerners can participate fully in sectors that are rapidly evolving.

Mr. Speaker, these initiatives are not about programs alone. They demonstrate our government's shared commitment, across departments and alongside partners, to build the conditions that allow Northerners to thrive. This work is about making practical changes that help people and businesses move forward together. It means we step back to look at how we do business and step up to celebrate our neighbours.

The North is full of talent, drive, and creativity. By working together across governments, business, and communities, we can support that potential and turn it into real opportunities for Northerners and when we do, we build a stronger North and a stronger Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of ITI. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I live on a street in Yellowknife that's become locally famous for festive Christmas lights displays. At the height of December, you'd be filled with Christmas cheer driving by all the twinkling lights, and many folks cheerfully kept them up through the beginning of January, at least until the December power bills showed up. Just like that, Mr. Speaker, Christmas was over on 57th Street, and the reality of our rising cost of living landed with a dull thud, like a sack of coal.

Residents are struggling to make ends meet and are asking what we can do to help. Power rates in the NWT are the highest in the country so are naturally top of mind in this conversation.

Mr. Speaker, I intended to speak mostly about our power rates today, but by strange coincidence we also suffered a long mid-winter power outage last night which has brought the challenges our system is facing to the top of mind for an even more troubling reason. Our infrastructure is aging and desperately in need of upgrades, and our Minister has been working tirelessly on moving the Taltson hydro expansion forward, but I wonder if we've been neglecting some more basic actions we could take to stabilize our system in the near term. Some ideas which have been floated to me are expanding the capacity of the Bluefish reservoir, expand uptake of renewables, do a policy review on rate regulation, switch from a public utilities board to a rate review council, or make changes to the Public Utilities Act for regulatory efficiency, to name a few.

What I want to emphasize is we should approach this issue with urgency and creativity and not let smaller solutions fall by the wayside as we strive for a panacea.

Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement of military investment in our communities is a major opportunity to turn our power narrative around. The military are going to want to ensure there's reliable power available and have been clear with us they want to move these projects forward in a way that benefits our communities and doesn't add burden to our strained systems. I have to give the Minister credit, Mr. Speaker. When we were going back and forth on housing funding last budget, she said to me we really need to be focusing on our aging power infrastructure as well. I agree. So let's get to work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife North.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to highlight a good-news story about community-led affordable housing, something that has been going so well for so long that we hardly pay any attention. It's Northern United Place in Yellowknife which was established in 1976. It provides 125 low-cost housing units for independent people earning less than $60,000 a year, and rent is geared to a tenant's income. The building includes another 41 student housing units that are leased by Aurora College. All of this is run by a non-profit called the NWT Community Services Corporation. They've been able to operate these non-market affordable housing units for 50 years without relying on the government for operating funding. Imagine that. So how have they managed it?

Back in 1976, the Community Services Corporation arranged to have five lots amalgamated. They bought two lots from the United Church and acquired the other three lots from the GNWT for a small sum. The non-profit has leased out the commercial parts of the building to pay for the operation and maintenance of the residential units. Various agencies have been anchor tenants on the commercial side. First, GNWT departments used it as office space and since 1997, Aurora College has been the anchor tenant. Most recently, the non-profit has secured $17 million in federal loans in order to upgrade the building envelope and improve energy efficiency to help extend the life of the building for another 40 years, and these renovations will begin in the summer of 2026.

Tenants of NUP report that they feel safe and secure. The building experiences very little damage, and there are few evictions. And this is in the heart of our downtown. Tenants come from across NWT communities and the world. Everyone from college students to seniors become good neighbours and help each other out.

The risk is that we take this affordable housing for granted. I mean, it's easy to forget about them because they're not in crisis, and they don't ask the GNWT for subsidies. But this model could collapse if they lose their anchor tenant. Aurora College is considering moving out of NUP when their current lease ends in 2032.

Mr. Speaker, we need to appreciate the success of this non-profit affordable housing model. In order to protect those 166 tenants, we need to ensure they continue to have a stable anchor tenant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Member from Sahtu.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The community of Tsiigehtchic and its residents should not be treated any differently from those who live in regional centres or the city of Yellowknife because of the population. The residents from Tsiigehtchic pay taxes and therefore should be provided the essential services like those who live in large communities.

Mr. Speaker, the community and its residents have been requesting police services to be provided to their communities for decades. The status quo from this government and past government is no longer acceptable. With the high rate of crime throughout the NWT, especially in communities where the police presence is nowhere to be seen, the ongoing high rate of hard drugs entering our communities, police presence is more prevalent now than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, the First Nations and Inuit policing program that was initiated in other parts of the NWT would be a great starting point and bring security to the concerned residents of Tsiigehtchic. Fighting crime by civilians is no longer an option because of weapons and placing yourself in immediate danger or your life. It is time for this government and the Department of Justice to look at innovative solutions to bring relief to the community of Tsiigehtchic and its residents. We no longer need a band-aid solution. We need permanent policing in the community of Tsiigehtchic and other small communities throughout the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I have stated numerous times before, echoing the concerns of my predecessors, Richard Nerysoo, David Krutko, more recently Fred Blake Junior. The time for action has passed. Let this government make the right decision and provide the much-needed services that the community of Tsiigehtchic and its residents fairly deserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this Assembly and the 19th Assembly, Regular Members have been highlighting the need for fertility treatment supports for NWT residents. In the 19th, the idea of adding fertility treatments as an insured service was flatly denied. I have asked about this particular decision on insured services on the floor and done research behind the scenes. I have brought forward a petition with 368 signatures asking for the GNWT to investigate increased demand for fertility treatments and a tax credit to individuals pursuing those treatments. I've asked the Minister of Finance about why the GNWT doesn't offer these supports for their employees. And earlier this week, I tabled a jurisdictional scan of fertility supports offered by public governments across Canada.

Ultimately, the decision on insured services rests with the health Minister and her department. I recognize that the NWT health system is under fiscal strain, and so I am looking to find solutions that are fiscally prudent but still offer residents who are seeking fertility treatments some form of support.

The thing that baffles me most, Mr. Speaker, is the lack of data on how many residents need that support. I know there are many diagnoses that patients can get that explain their infertility, and tracking every single one in granular detail is not where I see the need. What we should be doing is tracking voluntary data from residents who are trying to conceive and cannot. Right now, it's word of mouth.

Advocates and residents come and speak to me about myriad reasons why the GNWT should support folks trying to start a family. Some of these reasons include preservation of fertility when you have a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes, a person with a uterus wants to start a family and finds out that they are struggling with fertility problems as well as finding donor sperm. I don't think the reason is key to track but rather the demand. Voluntary data can and should be collected from patients struggling to conceive for over a year so that the health system can make informed choices about fiscally prudent supports.

In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that the Minister look to the Yukon, as my colleague from Frame Lake has suggested previously, and support our residents in medical travel as interventions for fertility take place only south of 60. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.

That would be me. That was such a good statement from my colleagues, thank you; I was wrapped in awe.

Last night a nearly four-hour power outage during temperatures as low as minus 25 occurred occurring our proceedings in this chamber, Mr. Speaker, interrupting families just as they were sitting down to dinner and affecting restaurants and businesses just as they began serving their customers at peak hours.

I want to thank the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation for providing timely updates which were greatly appreciated by my constituents. I also want to thank NTPC and Naka Power technicians for working hard to bring our power grid back online, and the City of Yellowknife for operating emergency warming shelters and providing traffic control. But most of all, I want to thank residents of Yellowknife, Dettah, and N'dilo for their patience during yet another frustrating outage.

Power outages are no longer inconveniences, Mr. Speaker. They are occurring more frequently, up 30 percent on a five-year average, and are both serious financial drains on the economy while simultaneously posing a direct threat to the safety of homeowners. I've previously told this House about a family in my riding who suffered a catastrophic house fire due to a blackout and that a year later still have no home to call their own. Businesses have reported single incidents where power surges are or brownouts have caused thousands of dollars in damage to specialized kitchen equipment and POS systems. The Yellowknife chamber estimates that a full day outage affecting both power and communication lines results in the GDP loss of $4.75 million. And another example in the South Slave region, a hand games tournament lost $5,000 of food due to a prolonged outage with no backup refrigeration. And last year, a NACC performance meticulously planned was cancelled when the lights went out just before the doors opened.

While this Assembly had backup power, most homes and businesses do not. While we as Members were in a heated building with the lights on eating our catered meal, many families did not have the power to cook food for their children.

Northerners want answers but more than that, they want meaningful solutions that reduce these outages and give confidence in our power system. They want to see a real plan, and they want to see it now. An hour's long power outage from the NWT capital on budget day, if this is not a fitting metaphor for how we're doing as a territory I don't know what is. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When is enough enough? Last night the capital plunged into darkness for three and a half hours at minus 25. In the North, where would you ever deem power a luxury? It's the difference between a safe home and a public health emergency.

Mr. Speaker, when the lights go out at these temperatures, the clock isn't just ticking; it's counting down to a potential catastrophe. Yellowknifers are demanding explanation, reasons, why such failure happened. Mr. Speaker, was it an unforeseeable failure? Was it human error? Or was it just simply the system is buckling because of the weight of inefficiencies and the process and programs and equipment is just too old?

Mr. Speaker, I don't doubt for a moment that the crews on the ground were working as hard as they can, but I do doubt the plan, or lack thereof. It took nearly four hours to restore the power in this city, Mr. Speaker, life-threatening cold evening. Our contingency plans shouldn't be prayers. They should be printed on paper, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this is well beyond an inconvenience. Failure has carried hidden costs, Mr. Speaker, we should speak about. You know, it doesn't show up on your utility bills, Mr. Speaker. It's a smack in the face of things like businesses who have to struggle day-to-day to get ahead. Fried equipment fries their POS and surges their power equipment, Mr. Speaker. Lost revenue and labour, as pointed out by my colleague from Range Lake, that the Yellowknife chamber has pointed out. Insurance nightmares of covering these things.

Mr. Speaker, if they're all deemed an act of God, what do we do? I call it a failure of service by the power corporation, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we're all tired of the northern premium we pay for the highest power rates in the country, Mr. Speaker. But this situation is like we have a dialup on a fibre optics world.

Mr. Speaker, these inefficiencies need to be revisited. I am calling that the government create a business management and recovery fund. Mr. Speaker, it's a no hassle equipment replacement process, direct reimbursement for surge damage, Mr. Speaker. And I am also saying that we should have operation credits for losses created by these things over two hours during extreme weather, Mr. Speaker. The power corporation needs to take true responsibility because they are seriously mandated with our trusted responsibility and safety of Northerners. There's hybrid energy management solutions out there, Mr. Speaker, and as such we will talk more about that later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this House has heard me talk many times about what I call the good ol' days, and I refer back about 20 years ago in 2003 when the thought of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline was alive and well led by the aboriginal pipeline group which made up of 30 Indigenous community leaders. They've got a one third stake in that project. Inuvik was bustling. We had a petroleum show with seven, 800 members showing up there, and participants. And then alas, as I've said before, we took five years and our regulatory regime slowly choked the life out of that project, and it died. And in 2017, ABG was no more. But there is some hope, Mr. Speaker. We have seen the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation now developing their own natural gas well up there and will be providing energy to our region.

And, Mr. Speaker, I talked about the economy earlier on this week and how we need an economic engine. We do need drivers to keep our economy going. And I still think one of those drivers is the production and export of natural gas in the region. As we know, in 2021 there was a pre-feasibility study done by this government that said it was technically and financially feasible to do this work. So now I think we have a new leadership at IRC, they are doing their own work. I would hope that the Minister is now reaching out to the new chair to now plan for a real and robust feasibility study around natural gas and it's production in the Beaufort Delta so we can truly see some economic stability in our territory. And I do believe that that could be the economic engine that pushes us forward as we see other industries obviously declining in our territory, Mr. Speaker. So I will have questions for the Minister of ITI later today on what we're doing to move this important project forward, whether we're seeking funding to get the robust feasibility study done, and where we are today with our natural gas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report on housing in the Northwest Territories confirms what our communities have been saying for years, the system is broken. In the Tlicho region, this crisis is severe. Overcrowding is rampant and it is not just uncomfortable; it is harming our children's education and increasing the number of children in care. It also contributes to illness, mental health challenges, family violence, and wear and tear on homes creating unsafe conditions and costly emergency repair. These pressures ripple through the community, increasing homelessness, reducing employment stability, and deepening poverty.

This is not just a housing issue, Mr. Speaker. It is a public health and social crisis. Instead of building new homes where they are needed, the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to move families from Behchoko to Yellowknife. This is not a solution, Mr. Speaker. It uproots families, disconnect them from their culture and support systems, and leaves the housing shortage unresolved. Even the Government of the Northwest Territories homeownership program, designed to help, often hinders success. While it offers forgivable loans or lease to own arrangements, many homes are older and require costly repairs. Participants, including elders and low income families, must cover maintenance and utilities without support. For households already struggling, these obligations can lead to unsafe living conditions, mounting debts, and even loss of the home. Instead of creating a pathway to security, the program risks setting people up for failure.

Mr. Speaker, without safe and adequate homes, our community cannot thrive. This government must act now, build quality homes in Tlicho communities, review the homeownership programs, and create policy that support success, not hardship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I talked about treaties yesterday, and that was Treaty 8, and it talks about health care that's in the Canadian constitution that talks about the Crown consultation, accommodation, and that kind of thing. But, Mr. Speaker, if I were to assign grades to this Cabinet, this would be based on simple measures of each Minister upholding treaties by delivering the best possible service to our Indigenous communities, I know the Minister of Health and Social Services would have agreed with that standard during our leadership committee two years ago when she emphasized that medical travel process should reduce stress, not add to it, yet actions speak louder than words. Since her evaluation to Cabinet, my constituents continue to reach out in a high stress situation where medical travel's making an emergency harder. Harder, not easier. And the Minister has not worked out with us to provide solutions rather than obstacles. That is why I am deeply disappointed in the growing gap between what our communities need and what the Minister's medical travel modern project -- sorry, modernization project is actually delivering. We are long overdue for policy flexibility and a contingency fund to support people while they await NIHB approval.

Instead, modernization is being framed around bureaucratic slogans like clarity and navigation where the urgent needs of residents remain unmet. What that tells me is that Ministers just working on modern process to continue denying my constituents support and care they need.

I remind the Minister that UNDRIP, which is tasked with implementing and confirming Indigenous people's rights to the highest attainable standards in physical and mental health. Article 24 is clear. Indigenous people have the right to access all social and health services without discrimination yet, geographically, services qualified financial means to continue to act for barriers and people's health care.

We have two years left in this term. I ask the Premier what is the consequences when the mandate letter goes unfulfilled? Mr. Speaker, I would have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements.

Colleagues, I want to share a personal story from Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Five of my seven children were home in Fort Simpson for the week before Christmas. My daughter Jenny asked if we could all go out for lunch at the Pandaville. After a few questions, I agreed, and fifteen of us invaded the restaurant. After a wonderful meal and conversation, two plates of fortune cookies arrived. I opened mine first. It said something about a small, sweet thing that would steal my heart soon. I didn't think much of it. Then Grace opened hers and started to cry. She shared it with me: Get ready to spoil a new little one, baby Stroeder 2026.

This exciting news brought tears to the table, and it marks Grace's and mine 11th grandchild: Mason, Jacob, Paige, Brady, Scott, Logan, Adele, Ezra, Aurelia, Rhett, and now this new baby in 2026.

This moment made me reflect on the profound importance of grandchildren and how lucky we are. Today, I rise for a Member's statement on this gift.

Our grandchildren bring profound joy and purpose, weaving three generations together with love, wisdom, and unbreakable bonds that draw families closer. This remind us of life's renewal, letting us pass on our experiences while witnessing theirs unfold. I love the fact that our grandchildren offer unconditional love that boasts our emotional well-being and reduces loneliness. We see them build self-esteem, resilience, and a safe space to confide their challenges.

As grandparents, along with their parents, we instill values, share family stories, and pass down cultural heritage, sharing their identity and moral compass. In turn, our grandchildren keep us active, sharing fresh perspectives that sharpen our minds and extend our vitality. I have heard other grandparents' joke, If we'd known how much fun grandchildren are, we'd have had them first. I've come to realize our children gave us the joy of grandparenting through the adventures they took us on.

In closing, I thank my children for these amazing gifts and look forward to many more. As I told Grace, we're now into double digits now so we can look for another eight or more.

Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Well, I just did my Member's statement. I have my youngest daughter and her family here, the three youngest grandchildren, Rhett, Roy or Billy, depending on what he wants to be called, Aurelia who is known as Hammy, and Ezra, who are the youngest grandchildren but will be replaced in June to be the next. So welcome to the Assembly. And my son-in-law Brendan. Thank you very much for attending, and I'll get to watch hockey this weekend with them. So welcome to the Assembly.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome to the gallery Fort Simpson teacher Jackie Whellie. This week we also celebrated National Women and Girls in Sport Week, and Jackie is a very active futsal and soccer coach and does a lot for kids in the community, so huge thank you to her.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First I'll acknowledge the group as a whole sitting in the gallery, the NUP delegation of the Yellowknife Community Services Corp. Mr. Speaker, in particular, saving the best for last of course, no offence to the first one, I'd like to recognize Stewart Olden, a friend for a long time. Ann Peters is on the board. Lloyd Henderson who's been a family friend for I'd say a generation. And my favourite constituent, I could spend ten Member's statements just doing the introduction of the gold standard senior Vivian Squires who means so much to me and many people in this community. Thank you so much.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to your chambers. Again, thank you very much for allowing us 19 to represent you for these past two years and continue to represent you for the remaining two years. I hope you enjoy the proceedings. It is always nice to see people in the gallery.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Replies to the budget address, day 2 of 7. Member from the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I will not be in the chamber next week, I took the opportunity of sharing my reply to the budget. But from yesterday's three presentations by my colleagues, I couldn't have said it any better so I will echo their replies in addition to emphasize our declining economy. To some degree, the level, and as mentioned by our business Minister this morning, the North needs capital. We've already seen that. So it's inspiring to see the defense spending allocated for the North in the billions of dollars. That is going to be welcoming news to our commerce community. And I see a need similar to my declining economy with the closure of the Norman Wells production oil field. In this community, we have the declining closure of the diamond clients. So I would emphasize in deliverance of the budget allowance for readiness, marketing of the opportunities to come.

A good example to do that is to have a town hall in our Great Hall. That would inspire and have an open door policy to the invited guests of our commerce community to share what's coming. I can't wait for that day when the Mackenzie Valley Highway is not only a contributor to this territory but a contributor in a number of benefactor ways, taking the bondage of isolation on the communities down the Valley. You put that into perspective, it will bring nothing but prosperity to the income support clients, to our residents. Now you've got productive choices. You can take your U-haul and go to Grand Prairie and load it up with affordable groceries.

As one colleague said, as a senior, seasoned Member of this Assembly, I've never seen our North in a desperate state as I see it today. Some areas are a little bit lower than others, but we have the final negotiations to design this budget to reflect what we need, and I look forward to those deliberations. But making allowance to sustain today's society which is plagued by so many problems that spin off and create poverty and mental stress on our residents. Gee, I really want to afford Christmas presents, I heard a number of times, but I don't have the money for my children. Now that brings stress to the father and mother of that home.

Those are examples we hear out in the small communities, Mr. Speaker. And now I think this year is a welcoming year for prosperity. We've just got to showcase that and design our budget to reflect and giving allowances to have revitalization workshops in the Sahtu, in other parts of the region, sharing what our government is doing to the people of the Deh Cho. So we take our message to the communities.

As our chair of the AOC mentioned, we are resource rich and cash poor. There's a cry for critical minerals. Why aren't we looking at reforming our regulatory process to streamline that and make it better? Yes, I agree, our Resource Management Act is underway with finalization of the regulations. But could it be speeded up? You ask those questions of progress and progress to achieve our mandate, execute more importantly these projects. And these projects will justify the Minister of ITI's statement earlier, the North needs capital. We need capital, and we need to execute that capital to build infrastructure.

As I mentioned in my statement, the best social program is a job. Now that job income is going to build and eliminate mental stress to the family in isolation. Repeatedly, we've talked about the cost of living in the Northwest Territories. Yes, there's solutions to that. Let's take isolation and throw it away and replace it with affordable access, and affordable access will attract investment. Resource development will escalate.

So, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to take too much of the time other than what's been said. I totally agree, but I just emphasize to the 20th Assembly, for the latter half of our term we need to make decisions and set deadlines to achieve that schedule that's going to create capital to the North. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Replies to the Commissioner's Address, day 2 of 7. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we heard several speeches yesterday about this budget. Even though there were some notable contrasts amongst the speeches, there were also some common themes that I agree with, that the North faces both great challenge and great opportunity at this moment in history and that we must take more decisive action quickly and build momentum by strengthening our economic and social foundations. However, I also heard a theory that I vehemently disagree with, the theory that the main thing holding us back as a territory is the, quote, tail wagging the dog, that our Cabinet Members are being led blindly by a powerful group of bureaucrats behind the scenes who are actively resisting any real change. These, and I quote, well-connected insiders who live fat off government procurement instead of innovating their own businesses.

Now, I understand that many people looking from the outside, who are not part of government decision-making, perceive that the tail is wagging the dog. They're frustrated that they so rarely see any dramatic change in direction. They're frustrated that things seem so slow. So tail wags the dog is the best explanation that they can come up with.

What I find puzzling is when people who are not on the outside looking in still reach for the same simplistic and false explanation, people who are decision makers, people who are leaders with access to extraordinary amounts of information and an extraordinary level of input into the decisions and overall direction of this government. I am not just puzzled but alarmed when these leaders scapegoat public servants and paint them all with the same brush.

Point of order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member appears to be given a reply to my budget address and in doing so is making allegations or accusing me of making allegations against public servants and undermining confidence in government, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. My words speak for themselves, Mr. Speaker. They were put in context. And, again, this is a reply to the budget address, not a reply to my address, and I have not heard that from the Member so far. Thank you.

Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the purpose of our work here in this House is to respond to the discussion and deliberations that is happening amongst all of us, and I have not referred to anything that -- I don't believe I referred to anything falsely in terms of things that were not said. So I believe that this is all relevant in terms of responding to the budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I don't see a point of order; however, I was going to do this on Tuesday, but I am going to do it today: Let's focus on the budget, let's focus on what we're trying to achieve here. People are getting close to that line, and we could be moving over that line, which I don't want to be the parent, the coach, the referee, that has to address it all the time. So please, let's be very respectful of each other, please reply to the budget, and let's move forward.

Member from Yellowknife North.

Mr. Speaker, I am not here to defend government, and I am not here to defend Cabinet. What I am defending, unapologetically, is public servants. I would never pretend that the GNWT is a model of a well-functioning institution.

My first job when I moved here almost 18 years ago was with the GNWT, and I found myself in a little unit that was such a terrifyingly dysfunctional place that I quit after only a few months. And I never went back. I swore I did not want to work for government. But I did fall in love with this place and especially its people. This community and communities across the NWT are made up, in large part, with government workers, everyone from renewable resource officers to nurses to teachers, and yes, even the policy makers and program staff in departmental offices that we are funding through this budget all play a necessary part in keeping this territory running and putting all the supports and services in place that most of us take for granted every day.

Look, so government often moves slowly. We heard a lot about that yesterday. We all know that, and we agree it's not good. But to change it, we first need to be clear about why it moves slowly.

As far as I can tell, it's not because there is any conspiracy. It's because decision makers tend to be really bad at reaching agreement amongst ourselves on the right path forward. Sometimes leaders even think it's supposed to be that way, that the right way to be a leader is always to be angry and disagree with anything the other side says. And then if those types of leaders are quick to get really mad when a bold decision is taken they disagree with, Ministers and public servants alike, especially those on the front lines, feel vulnerable to shaming and blaming while trying to implement something that some folks don't like. So the constant incentive is for government to not do anything different, out of fear. If leaders cannot agree on what to do, the safest option always appears to be don't rock the boat, don't do anything too different that you could get blamed for.

Mr. Speaker, this budget, it moves away from the primary objective of fiscal restraint and towards a focus on shifting resources towards things that will shore up our foundations and prepare us for a possible big influx of federal investment around northern security. So I think that has broad consensus. And when you zoom out, it becomes obvious, though, that the actual amount of resources being shifted around towards our priorities is relatively minor; however, there are some notable initiatives that in themselves will make a big difference, and I want to point those out.

I think that the plan to expand lab and diagnostic services at Stanton to a 24/7 model will make a huge difference both to patients and to the efficiency and effectiveness of our healthcare system. I am pleased to see that significant new resources are being allocated to transitional and supportive housing projects as well as towards the stabilization of emergency shelters across the territory.

But as a group, we have struggled to come up with a common idea of the changes that we actually want to see in this particular budget or any GNWT budget. My main objectives are not related to any specific budget line but require achieving a clear vision for how we're going to build a stable and well-supported healthcare workforce and identifying concrete things that are holding us back from building a robust labour force, including basic education and literacy.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I will continue to emphasize the need to have the tough conversations amongst us leaders that could actually lead to consensus on a bold path forward rather than focusing on the divisions because I believe that that is the most significant thing holding us back, that if we can address it we can allow this government to make more progress faster. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Replies to the budget address, day 2 of 7. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister for the power corp. Mr. Speaker, what has the Minister and power corp been doing to stabilize our power system and possibly even reduce power rates north of the lake? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Minister responsible for NTPC.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Member is implying something other than talking about Taltson, but I can't emphasize enough that not being connected to the North American energy grid, not having our grids connected, leaves us very vulnerable. And so we wind up having outages more frequently when there's only one line that runs to a single generating source -- a single hydro generating source. Typically, we'd be able to bring the diesel back online but if that doesn't happen quickly, we wind up in the situation we found ourselves in yesterday.

So, Mr. Speaker, some of the things that we are doing, and one in particular, was with respect to past -- this past spring when we issued a whole list of directives out to the public utilities board, that included with the integrated systems planning. The fact that we don't have integrated systems planning in the North, in my mind, is very urgent. I am always happy to speak about this. It is a serious issue that, as I understand it, lingered for a decade before we got this out to the public utilities board to action. And I know they are actioning it. I've been checking back in with colleagues, with my colleague for the public utilities board, and this is moving forward so that engagements are happening right now on all of those directives, including this one. We need to have an integrated plan that looks at our entire system and what we're going to do to make it better. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate the Minister's points there. I guess where I was trying to go with this was just ensuring that our infrastructure investment is not just focusing on this southern grid tie-in because it's such a big project, and it's got -- it requires so much funding. I am just wondering are we focusing on smaller solutions as well? So infrastructure investment north of the lake, policy, or legislative change. As I said in my statement, Mr. Speaker, let's pull out all the stops and focus on what we can do to help reduce power rates in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my struggle is I am not going to be able to keep this down into the short answers that I know you're looking from us. So I -- my first comment would be this may be an appropriate topic to have a public briefing on. There is a lot to be said. Another thing happening on the Snare -- on the north side of the lake is a Snare grid modernization project. Again, could have happened years ago. It's happening now. We need to get to a place where a grid system and a generating system that was built in the '70s is modernized, that the transmission lines are brought up to speed, that it is -- that we don't need to question whether or not, you know, something is out of date or old, that it's new, that it's modern. And frankly, the announcements that we're seeing about potential procurements coming in from DND is an opportunity. They would be a big customer for the power. That can then as an industrial customer allow us to do the investments that don't have to go on ratepayers. So, again, a lot is happening right in this moment but that grid modernization could well put us into a position that -- and would also better integrate renewables into the system, alternative renewals beyond the hydro system, add to the grid and bring some stabilities and some redundancy. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister responsible for NTPC. Final supplementary. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I appreciate the Minister's answer there, and I certainly hope in our federal engagement on military investment, we're raising our power infrastructure as a concern.

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister have any idea for us what kind of timeline we can expect this North Slave grid modernization to take place. So when can residents expect to start seeing those improvements come online and help stabilize our system? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The challenge we find ourselves in is wanting to ensure we do good planning, so the integrated systems planning that's being led across the territory by the public utilities board, the Snare grid modernization which is focused here, and doing that at the same time that there is also a five-year capital plan for Northwest Territories Power Corporation. So we need to keep upgrading the systems immediately. We also do want to be doing this in the context of having a plan. So there is a five-year plan that is rolling out. There are improvements that are taking place every year, and we see them during the capital planning process here. But at the same time wanting to make sure that we do that as we're building out this plan. So those changes are happening already. There are -- again, I don't have -- and I don't have the capital plan in front of me, Mr. Speaker, but there -- that capital plan, as I said, it already has been put forward. I believe it's been tabled as a document as it does get every year, and I'd be happy to provide an update, perhaps, as to what has happened in the last capital planning year and what is upcoming for this year. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister responsible for NTPC. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a nearly four-hour blackout yesterday in the city of Yellowknife. The Minister's well aware. She was -- and very thankful to have her engagement and receive updates from her through that. Can the Minister just speak to -- clearly to the citizens of Yellowknife, Dettah, and N'dilo, what happened to cause the power outage and how was it resolved? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister responsible for NTPC.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, again, I'll just -- I'll put it back the other direction, that it is helpful when people are getting information out to the public. I would always direct people back to NTPC's Facebook page, if they're on social media that is the first point of call. But everyone that was participating -- and that makes it easier for residents to know where to look, where to find information. So that is helpful that we're all out there.

Mr. Speaker, we ultimately were able to identify that this was an issue at the Jackfish substation. And they were -- the crews that were out there were trying to get the system back online using both hydro and diesel. The challenges, and where typically our power outages get resolved fairly quickly, because we can go from hydro to diesel, in this case it was difficult to get the diesel units up and going, and that led to further delays. Eventually, they got the Bluefish back online. But there does take some time to go from where the staff are stationed out to Bluefish. So between all of those things and different efforts, it took longer than has been typical for us. The first customers got their power back around 8:20, and the later customers by about 10:20. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker -- and thank you to the Minister for that and also updates from Naka Power and the City of Yellowknife were very helpful as well. So thank you to everyone who worked hard to get that information out to the public.

Are there not contingency or backup systems to prevent this kind of thing? I know this was a difficult technical issue to solve, but it seems like these -- when these -- many of these power outages are getting longer and longer to resolve. So are we looking at investing in more contingency and backup so when these faults do occur, they're shorter, they're resolved quicker, and they bear less costs to citizens and businesses. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, having access to a diesel generating facility and hydro does create generally a redundancy for the city of Yellowknife. And as such, Yellowknife, in general -- certainly last year, last calendar year -- although we had more frequent outages than other parts of Canada, we actually were well under the average in terms of our restoration time. Obviously last night was certainly an exception to that. And as I just mentioned in my previous response, Mr. Speaker, part of the problem there was because we couldn't get what is the typical backup diesel to be up and running as it was expected to. So that is unusual circumstance. I mean, there's certainly how many layers of backup to backup are necessary. If there was a grid connection that provided a redundant system, then you can move power more seamlessly between the different grids. We don't have that here. And in the interim, Mr. Speaker, we certainly want to make sure that the systems that we have, both the hydro and the diesel, are up functioning and as modernized and as up to speed as they can be. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister responsible for NTPC. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I mean, I guess if we're pretty good at getting it back on, then we need to prevent the frequency of them. So that's the million-dollar question, probably the billion or even trillion-dollar question. So how much is it going to cost to fix this and when is it going to happen? Because Northerners cannot keep living through this. I can't tell you how many messages I received of people saying enough is enough, I am looking to leave the North. And not just tonight, but for many -- over the months leading up to this session, it's getting unbearable, and we need something, and the solutions need to come now, and there needs to be a plan, and there needs to be progress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I agree that for the course of maybe 20, 30 years, there ought to have been integrated systems planning, a Snare resiliency study done, and a connection of our grids. In the absence of that, Mr. Speaker, we are now trying to do all of those things at the same time in the course of this government so that we can deliver on the kind of plan and the kind of intentional plan that this community and the whole of the Northwest Territories needs. We cannot afford as a territory to be behind. It is an issue that I raise frequently with federal counterparts from funding perspective. Interties are on the radar of the federal government. They need to come here and help support this. Because if you want to know the costs, we are in the hundreds of billions of dollars to replace the entire system. That's not reasonable. So what can we do in the meantime? We need to be doing as many things as we can. So a line out to Whati, a line around to Fort Providence, connections of the two grids, building in its systems planning, replacing battery systems, making them so you can integrate your renewables, making it so that you can integrate your home renewables, making it so that communities can have renewables. All of this needs to happen. As I say, Mr. Speaker, those things are moving forward. They are going to take some time, but they are moving forward now. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister responsible for NTPC. Oral questions. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about opportunities lost but that's in the past. Let's look at our bright future given the announcements of the infrastructure spending that's coming through DND. My question is for the Minister of ITI. Given, again, what I spoke about the work that's on going with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in the Beaufort Delta as well as the LNG we have up there, has the Minister and her department been in contact with the newly elected chair to discuss the ongoing projects that they're working on up there right now? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Minister for ITI.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member also spoke about hope, and I share the same hope that he spoke about in his Member's statement and that desire to see strong economic engines for the Northwest Territories. I have a meeting with the new chair of the IRC this month. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, that's excellent news. Sooner rather than later, I would hope.

Can the Minister commit in that meeting -- and I spoke about now is the time to do an actual robust feasibility study. I understand there's likely funding out there for that so we can likely get that either funded through like an organization like CanNor or the major infrastructure projects office to get now, obviously led by IRC to engage -- when she engages with the chair of IRC to talk about the potential of a feasibility study, a robust feasibility study. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Member that I have not stopped talking about the Mackenzie Delta LNG opportunity. I've talked to federal Ministers about it, Alberta Ministers about it. I've talked to the major projects office. I've talked to the Canada Infrastructure Bank. I've talked to businesses about it, ambassadors, Consul Generals. And so I am definitely along with some of my Cabinet colleagues consistently making sure people both have the pre-feasibility study and idea of the economic potential that exists there. Having those conversations alongside the chair of the IRC would be an incredible opportunity, and I very much look forward to having more conversations about that. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of ITI. Final supplementary. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you. And I expect no less, Mr. Speaker. And it's really good news. I just -- I didn't if I got -- she mentioned a pre-feasibility study. But my question was is she willing to look to do -- this government to do a -- in partnership with IRC, a full, robust feasibility study on the heels of that 2021 study. Thank you.

Thank you very much. So, Mr. Speaker, all of the entities that I've mentioned are ways that I am looking to work together to have that funded. We would also need to make sure that we're doing this work in concert, not just with IRC but also working with the significant license holders of that region of which there are five. And so continuing those conversations to pursue that feasibility study is what I am trying to get done here. That is the next step that we need to tackle to make this idea, this opportunity, a reality. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of ITI. Oral questions. Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the First Nations and Inuit policing program being implemented and seen as a success within other communities within the NWT, will the Minister of Justice look at implementing this program in the community of Tsiigehtchic in the near and foreseeable future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, there are -- the FNIPP program has 22 members that we've added in the Northwest Territories, and five of those members are stationed within the Beaufort Delta, one specifically in McPherson that does support the community of Tsiigehtchic. Currently, there are conversations going on with Public Service Canada. There are community tripartite agreements that help to guide the work with all of the communities across the NWT. There are also 33 agreements that have been signed to work on a collaborative approach to how the FNIPP program will be delivered across the territory. So that work continues, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not what I was looking for, but. Okay, for the immediate future, the community identified that they do have a residence where the RCMP can stay for an extended period of time. Will the Minister look at having the RCMP members from the Fort McPherson detachment conduct prolonged stays within the community of Tsiigehtchic for their safety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a couple of points to raise here. I think the day-to-day operation within the G-division of the RCMP is at the sole discretion of G-division. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, the 33 agreements that were signed with the communities also help to guide how that participation happens within those communities. So specifically for Tsiigehtchic, between January and October of 2025, there were 39 visits to the community as established patrols which were -- I don't have the specifics of the time of -- that they were actually in the community but there were 33 instances. A couple other sort of areas of interest here I think is that there were -- across the NWT there were 3,000 positive proactive patrols to communities that currently do not have detachments. So I think that's a positive number. And that the engagement within the communities is certainly part of that agreement process and having the communities be more directly engaged into how those policing priorities are determined within each of those communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These agreements are all good but being implemented is another thing. The community of Tsiigehtchic is holding meetings on their safety. They want to know what can be done. They're trying to work with each other to see how they can make this happen. Will the Minister commit to visiting the community of Tsiigehtchic and answer questions on the status quo decisions for a permanent RCMP presence within their community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to commit to visit the community of Tsiigehtchic to meet with the residents and the Member to discuss the policing challenges that they're facing. It would be my great honour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of health.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has previously replied to a written question that the health services administration office will address patient files through a process called prior approval when the patient's cause of infertility is not readily known. This seems like a good touch point to capture voluntary data from residents who are struggling to conceive. So my question is can the Minister investigate that touch point, and any others that may make sense to her and her department, as a place to start collecting voluntary resident data to identify -- to start to identify the need -- the extent of the need -- pardon, for fertility supports in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time health and social services does not explicitly track that data, however, we are anticipating -- you know, and I think this is one of the areas that we struggle with within our system is that we're not able to pull that data, and we're hoping that -- well, you know, with the new electronic health record, that is an item that's been designated that needs to happen, is to be able to extract data from the electronic health medical records. So until that happens, then we'll be able to better track different types of data within our health system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that. It gives me all the more reason to ask for questions about electronic health records.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of health tell me if her department is studying the Yukon's approach to medical travel supports for NWT residents seeking fertility treatment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time we are not contemplating that. The reason what we're doing right now is we are -- we are doing a system review of a lot of our health services and our insured services, our non-insured services that we are providing through the health sustainability unit, and so we need to complete that task before we decide to -- you know, to implement new services. Right now, the health and social services every year has a deficit and so trying to review and implement something new at this time is not something that we are looking at. However, we do provide medical travel. And I think I've mentioned this before, that we do provide the medical travel when it covers the insured services, like the diagnostics that need to happen that may be causing the infertility. And if there's insured services, if there's procedures that they may have that might be caused by this; however, it doesn't cover the treatments themselves at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Great Slave.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, yeah, I recognize going down the road of trying to capture all fertility interventions as insured services is not one that the health Minister is willing to do at this juncture. So I guess I am just asking her to be bold and in her process can she identify the potential costs for providing medical travel for a non-insured service and if that is, indeed, something that she will be looking at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, and I appreciate the questions on these, and I do have a running list of things that I have that I would really like to look into and to add to our system; however, the things that we are currently providing we do not even -- in some of the areas that we're providing them, we do not have the right amount of funding to do those programs as it is. And I know that this is important to many residents in the Northwest Territories and, like I said, I have a list of things that I would like to be able to bring forward; however, at this time, you know, all I can commit to is adding this to that list and making sure that it's on that list and that the department is aware that as we finish the health sustainability work and we look at how we're funding our programs and services and what programs and services that are important to the residents of the Northwest Territories that we can take a look at, you know, the other lists that the residents need. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for housing. Mr. Speaker, GNWT received various auditor general's reports, education, social program, and housing all gave a failing grade. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, Tlicho region is in housing crisis with severe overcrowding in Tlicho communities. What immediate steps is the Minister of Housing NWT taking to build new houses in the Tlicho region rather than relocating families to Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. I think in terms of housing in Northwest Territories, again the concern in the Tlicho region is a concern throughout the Northwest Territories. We have 32 communities that we're providing housing for, public and social housing. We have over, like almost 3,000 units that we're providing supports to. With $150 million investment over the next couple of years, we're going to have a significant new build throughout the Northwest Territories and also mentioned in the capital statement we are repairing over 600 homes throughout. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware in all the NWT but the auditor general's report did mention Tlicho region with the highest need. We're in housing crisis. I am going based on the report that's before us.

So with that in mind, Mr. Speaker, the homeownership program is intended to help residents achieve stability yet many homes are in poor conditions and require costly repairs that low income families cannot afford. What changes will the Minister make to ensure this program supports success instead of setting people up for failure. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is an important program. We provide $10 million a year throughout the Northwest Territories for home repairs, seniors home repair, senior aging in place, emergency home repair. And, again, this is a program that's fully subscribed. With the auditor general's report and the notes in the auditor general's report, the recommendations with the report, I've asked Housing Northwest Territories to do a fulsome review of the homeownership program to see what we can do and how we can deliver this better because within the report, it talks about some caution and recommendations and some services that we need to do better. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report shows that housing issues have persisted for over a decade with little progress. How will the Minister ensure accountability and deliver a clear, measurable plan to address overcrowding, improve housing quality, and prevent this crisis from continuing for another generation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Work that Housing Northwest Territories is doing at this time, again like I mentioned a fulsome review, but we also need to look at all the programs we're offering in the Northwest Territories, in our communities, and with our local housing organization who are integral to housing in the community. So we need to provide them updated systems, more training, more monitoring, how are we allocating units, how are we working with the tenants to make sure that we have tenant succession plans in place, the work we're doing with our territorial housing needs assessment. Because we need to base this on data and statistics and also visits into the community to see the housing conditions ourselves. These are really important tools that we need to put in place. But there's an opportunity, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have proposal that will go in with Build Canada Homes. And that's probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the federal government, and it could change housing in the Northwest Territories. We could add more units, and we also could repair what we have. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be directed to the Minister responsible for the power corp. Does the Minister acknowledge that the three-and-a-half hour power outage at minus 25 poses a serious risk, an impact on families, public safety, and businesses? And if she does recognize this is a serious issue that has serious impacts, can she be specific as to what she's directing the power corp to do to mitigate these risks and impacts? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister responsible for NTPC.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in response to the power outage last night, we will be doing a follow-up to review the outage events. There was a couple of different -- as I already detailed this morning, there's been a couple of different events that led to the extended period of time of the outage, one being that the hydro plant couldn't just have backup diesel relied upon. The backup diesel units didn't start as expected, and then the time that it took to get the hydro back up. So as I said, we'll be doing a follow-up to review that, what took place at all those junctures, whether there are other processes that can be put in place, whether there are other pieces of equipment that could be available. Some things -- you know, like, the time it takes to get to the facility can't be varied. But the things that can be varied and are under our control will be reviewed so that we can ensure that similar things don't happen again. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the system is supposed to be uninterruptible and although we know that that's worth what it's worth, that statement, that said it's not meant to be three and a half hours to four hours.

Mr. Speaker, I proposed in my Member's statement today creating a business mitigation and recovery fund that would help businesses who are stung hardly on these initiatives --it affects fried equipment, lost revenue, and insurance nightmares -- with some solutions. Would the Minister be willing to look at those solutions I've proposed? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are significant costs that can occur when there's an extended power outage. We certainly see that as I -- you know, certainly to businesses, to residents, but also the government sees those impacts as well, and government services and government buildings. So certainly well aware that they can have significant impacts.

Mr. Speaker, across Canada, public utilities often experience outages and, in fact, as I said earlier, our utility typically -- or is under the Canadian average for the amount of time it takes to get back online. Others typically experience far longer outages, some in fact for days if not weeks. And there are provisions within the approach of utilities not to provide any kind of compensation in those types of events. Typically, there may -- I shouldn't say typically. There may be occasions that insurance is available. Obviously not everyone can access it. So this isn't an area where governments would generally set up funds or provide public funds for those purposes. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister responsible for NTPC. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the corporation is the only game in town. So I'll give two clear -- we have the land titles system that has an assurance program. They're responsible in case there's a mistake in the system that has impacts. Mr. Speaker, the auto industry takes responsibility when something goes wrong and they try to make it right, Mr. Speaker. And lastly, Mr. Speaker, I am suggesting an insurance program of some sort that creates reimbursements for no -- for damaged equipment and operating loss credits of some form, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be able to look at these types of solutions to be innovative because the impacts of these power outages fry equipment and cause a lot of serious damage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the long, creative list that was put there just now. I'll certainly -- I will certainly commit to going back and to ensuring that the folks at NTPC have a look at it and ensure there's nothing in there that I am not familiar with that could be made functional. But, again, Mr. Speaker, at this point there is a significant amount of work in this territory that needs to happen to modernize our grid, to modernize our system, to bring our facilities up to modern standards so that we can better integrate renewables, have more resiliency, have more redundancy. That work is urgent. That work needs to get done. And at the moment, that is the focus of both our resource -- human resource efforts and our funds. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister responsible for NTPC. Oral questions. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last three days, I've been talking about the health of my constituency, and I get calls all along from the chiefs and the Metis leaders about their issues and community issues as well, so. And then what I thought about was, you know, we have our treaty right to health and we have UNDRIP legislation, and I am trying to figure a way as to how we can look for solutions to some of the problems we're having and, in particular, that NIHB is also a federal legislation. And the Government of Canada also has a fiduciary obligation to implement the treaties, and health is part of that. So the GNWT here, we also are the Crown. So my question would be to the Minister of health.

If medical travel modernization is focused on clarity, information, and navigation, is the Minister suggesting that the only problem with medical travel lies in residents' understanding of the policy rather in the policy themselves? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, within the Northwest Territories, all travel for medical is provided through many different insurances, and the way that we fund for First Nation and Inuit that don't have any other employer insurances is through the non-insured health benefits. Non-insured health benefits is the payer of last resort, which we administer through their policy. However, when we -- you know, I've heard on the floor now for a couple of days, you know, with specifics to providing healthcare services to Indigenous people, First Nation, and Inuit, we provide health services to the patient. We provide the medical travel for the patient through the medical travel policy that is created and it's a policy, a federal policy that we administer. We have to be able -- we follow their rules. We advocate for the changes. I as well as Indigenous leaders of the Council of Leaders have gone to Ottawa, have sat with the Minister, and stressed our issues with this policy as well and asked them to modernize it for betterment of our residents of the Northwest Territories, to look at our demographics, to look at our geographics, and how we have to -- the complicated issues of moving people around. However, we never stop from allowing a medical travel patient -- the patient, I want to be clear -- to get and access care. Where my office gets many, many concerns and BFs and especially from, you know, the Member's raised from his riding, are when it relates to escorts. Escorts, under the medical travel policy, the NIHB policy, is very clear in the criteria of the escort criteria. But when it comes to medivacs and air ambulance and ground ambulance, there is no policy either within GNWT's medical travel policy or with the NIHB. And those are the things that we're doing through the medical travel modernization. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the lobbying efforts that you've made with the Government of Canada. I know that the Tlicho and Deline were part of that delegation to advocate for NIHB. Maybe a different approach could be maybe we could do it again with all the chiefs together, and that way here it gives more weight to lobbying to support the changes we need.

But, Mr. Speaker, if cultural safety is also focused on medical travel modernization, does the Minister acknowledge that at the heart of cultural safety are the government's policies that provide Indigenous people with support when they require care in urgent situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I as part of the Council of Leaders, Cabinet is part of Council of Leaders, I know that we are planning an upcoming -- you know, another fall meeting to go to Ottawa to lobby the -- with all of the Indigenous leaders as well as us, you know, and I encourage the Member's leadership to attend that and advocate with me on these issues. However, right now, and to the comments that have been made about cultural -- and this is why I said it's within the medical modernization, we are completing phase one, and phase one was more of the logistical pieces, clarifying, making sure that we update in clear, plain language for residents and for staff, practitioners who are signing off on these medical travel referrals. The piece in the phase 2 we are looking at is expanding that escort criteria. But this is going to come with money. It's going to have -- it's going to need resources. So we have to make sure that we have to do it in the processes that we have in consensus government where we have to analyze it, we bring it to committee, we go through Cabinet, and then we decide whether or not this is where we can allocate funds to. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.