Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. To the motion. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, this is important for NWT and the people. And like my colleague from Dehcho said, water is life, and we have heard many times from our elders, they said water is our father and it is important for our survival. So I will support this motion. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. To the motion. Member from Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, as this motion makes a recommendation to government, Cabinet will be abstaining from the motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Thebacha. To the motion.

Question is called. Does the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh wish to close debate.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'd like to thank my colleagues on this very important issue. And, Mr. Speaker, I ask for a recorded vote. Thank you.

Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh has asked for a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.

All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.

Thank you. Colleagues, all those in favour, 11. Opposed, zero. Abstentions, seven. Motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two motions to read into the record. I'll obviously do one at a time. The first one is with respect to the Electoral Boundaries Commission. So, Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS Tabled Document 483-20(1), 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report, has been tabled in this House;

AND WHEREAS the 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report requires detailed consideration;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Tabled Document 483-20(1), 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. All those abstaining, please raise your hand. Okay. Motion carried.

---Carried

Motions. Member from the Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My second motion is regarding the Legislative Assembly Compensation and Benefits Report.

WHEREAS Tabled Document 445-20(1), 2025 Review of Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Compensation and Benefits Report, has been tabled in this House;.

AND WHEREAS the 2025 Review of Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Compensation and Benefits Report requires detailed consideration;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Tabled Document 445-20(1), 2025 Review of Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Compensation and Benefits Report, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried. Motions. Member for Monfwi.

I have two motions, Mr. Speaker, waiving of rent for elders in public housing unit, Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS elders aged 65 and over living in public housing in the Northwest Territories often face financial hardship due to fixed incomes and rising costs of living;

AND WHEREAS the limited affordable housing options in the Northwest Territories disproportionately affect elders in smaller and remote communities;

AND WHEREAS elders contribute significantly to the cultural, social, and community fabric of the Northwest Territories and deserve dignity and security in their housing;

AND WHEREAS elders play a vital role in preserving Indigenous languages, culture, and traditions, and ensuring their well-being strengthens communities;

AND WHEREAS housing insecurity among elders can lead to negative health outcomes and increased reliance on health and social services;.

AND WHEREAS waiving rent for elders in public housing would reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and support aging in place;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Dehcho, that this Legislative Assembly calls upon the Government of the Northwest Territories to implement a policy to waive rent for all elders aged 65 and over residing in public housing units as soon as administratively feasible;

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. To the motion. Member from the Dehcho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I want to voice my strong support for this motion calling on the government to implement a policy to waive rent for all elders aged 65 and over residing in public housing. This is not simply a matter of financial relief. It is a matter of dignity, equity, and respect for those who have built and continue to sustain our communities.

Across the Northwest Territories, elders living on fixed incomes face increasing financial pressures. The rising cost of food, fuel, utilities, essential goods, place an ever-growing burden on those least able to absorb it. For many elders, every dollar is already stretched to its limit. When rent becomes one of the most significant monthly expenses, the result is hardship; hardship that no elder in our territory should experience especially after a lifetime of contributing to the well-being of their families, communities, and cultures.

This issue is even more pronounced in our smaller and remote communities where affordable housing options are extremely limited. Elders in these regions often face higher costs of living and fewer economic opportunities, intensifying the strain. Housing should not be a source of insecurity for the knowledge-keepers, language-holders, and cultural leaders who play such vital roles in the life of Northwest Territories.

Elders are central to preserving Indigenous language, cultural practices, and community identity. When elders thrive, communities thrive. Ensuring stable and secure housing for elders supports healthy aging in place, allows them to remain in their home communities, and strengthens intergenerational ties that are fundamental to cultural continuity.

There are also clear social and health benefits. Housing insecurity is linked to poor health outcomes and greater reliance on health and social services. By waiving rent for elders in public housing, the government would reduce poverty, reduce stress, and promote better physical and mental health measures that would likely reduce pressure on government systems in the long run.

Rent waivers are not merely a financial policy. They are an investment in community strength and cultural resilience. They honour the contributions of elders that elders have made throughout their lives and acknowledge the responsibility we carry to ensure they are cared for with the respect they deserve.

For these reasons, I urge the members to support this motion. Let us act decisively to ensure that elders aged 65 and over living in public housing can live with dignity, security, and peace of mind. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.