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

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on March 2nd, 2026, Housing NWT announced expanded debt forgiveness for legacy mortgages. For homeowners still carrying that debt, it sounded like Christmas had come early. But when the gift arrived, it was wrapped in more government paperwork. I would say that is worse than coal.

Mr. Speaker, relief should not be announced like a gift then handed out like a test. What residents received was a letter explaining the new criteria. To qualify, residents had to prove they met the low income threshold or that they had already paid enough against the original principle or the assessed value of the home. But why are residents being asked to prove they qualify for relief when much of the information needed should already be in government's hands? Housing NWT should already know the payment history and government should have access to the assessed property values.

Mr. Speaker, these criteria block the people who need the relief the most. We are talking about elders who speak Indigenous languages as their first language and low-income residents worn down by endless forms and government processes. This approach does not meet our people where they are. It is unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, this raises a bigger question. Why do these criteria exist at all? These mortgages are not new. Housing NWT stopped issuing them in 2007. That means every legacy mortgage is almost 20 years old or older. If someone has been faithfully paying into one of these homes for nearly 20 years, government should not be asking whether they have paid enough. Given the age and condition of these homes, it should be presumed that residents have already paid at least the assessed value. And if a resident has not been able to keep up with payment, that should be enough to recognize they are low income. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So who are these criteria really screening out? It seems to me they are screening out the people least able to endure another government process. Mr. Speaker, if this is truly about relief, then fully commit to relief, provide blanket forgiveness for legacy mortgages, no strings attached. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Member's statement. Member from Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the graduating class of 2026 from Paul William Kaeser High School who celebrated their convocation ceremony last night. This milestone marks years of hard work, perseverance, and commitment by the students. Graduation is not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a moment that reflects the strength of family, community, and the many people who helped guide these young leaders to this important day.

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to each graduate and acknowledge the pride felt through Fort Smith and the Thebacha constituency. The future of our communities depends on the determination, creativity, and resilience of our youth, and this graduating class has much to be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, today's graduates are stepping into a time of growing opportunity in the North. With increased interest and investment in northern development, whether in infrastructure, resource development, renewable energy, tourism, or Indigenous-led initiatives, there are expanding pathways for young people to build meaningful careers close to home. These opportunities offer not only economic growth but also the chance for this generation to shape the future of our territory in ways that reflect our values, cultures, and priorities.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize and thank the parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, school staff, coaches, volunteers, and members of the district education authority, whose support and encouragement helped these students succeed. Their dedication continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of our young people.

To the graduates of 2026, I encourage you to continue pursuing your goals with confidence, whether your path leads to post-secondary education, trades, employment, entrepreneurship, or service to your community. Know that your community believes in you and is proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations once again to the class of 2026, and I wish each of them continued success in the years ahead. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Thebacha. Members' statements.

Colleagues, today I am remembering and honouring Ernie McLeod. Ernie was born on May 20, 1945, in his parents' home in Fort Liard. Over the course of his life, he travelled widely, experiencing many places beyond his birthplace. Despite his time away, Fort Liard always remained close to his heart, and in the end he returned to the community where his life began.

Throughout his life, Ernie was known for his strong work ethic and dedication to his community. He operated several businesses over the years, including a taxi service that provided weekly trips for community members to Fort Nelson and back home. He also drove medical patients to and from appointments across British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, ensuring people could access the care they needed. In addition, he was involved in camp operations, catering services, and pilot car services.

Ernie was an active member of the community and had a passion for sports. He played in many softball games in Fort Liard and competed in tournaments throughout BC and the Northwest Territories. He also brought people together through sport by organizing his own softball team, proudly named Liard's

Taxi. Ernie and his team travelled to tournaments across BC and the NWT, building friendships and community spirit along the way.

He also served as president of the Fort Liard Metis. In this role, Ernie attended many meetings to ensure Metis interests were represented and advocated for within the Fort Liard community. His leadership reflected his commitment to supporting and strengthening his people.

This is where I got to know him. He was a very strong advocate for the community. He was always a straight shooter, never afraid to tell you what he believed but at the same time willing to sit down with you to hear your point of view. Sometimes he could surprise you with a very deep interpretation of the conversation and a clear vision of what should be done.

Later in life, he moved to the old folks home, and he always was willing to help his neighbours and make the place a friendly and welcoming environment. He would always welcome me into his apartment for tea or juice to discuss life, politics, or whatever was on his mind. I will miss those conversations in the future.

Ernie will be remembered for his hard work, his generosity, and his deep connection to his home community. His presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to express their gratitude for all the kindness and generosity bestowed at their time of grief. Your kind thoughts, deeds, and well wishes are deeply appreciated. Ernie will be sadly missed but not forgotten.

Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to acknowledge YK North constituent Fernanda Martins who has joined us today. She is the senior advocacy coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society in the Northwest Territories. Welcome, Fernanda, and we appreciate your tireless advocacy.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent resident from Norman Wells, Mr. Barry Hartley. Welcome to the chamber.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to welcome Ms. Fernanda Martins to our proceedings today. She has been a fantastic resource and has been very generous with her time to walk me through the issues that the Canadian Cancer Society is advocating for tirelessly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Great Slave. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize my constituency assistant Myrtle Graham who has been here this week working with the grade 6 tour from Princess Alexander School and helped organize it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Hay River South. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize Fernanda Martins. She's a reliable attendant at all of the budget session dialogues, so I am glad that she has joined us today to represent the Canadian Cancer Society.

Mr. Speaker, I also have a page in the building, Marlysia Vegas from Ecole St. Joe's. It's always wonderful to have students here, and we're very appreciative of their help. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife South. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I'd also like to recognize Mr. Hartley, Barry Hartley. We used to work together way back when, you know, when I was an old guy and he was a young man, with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. So welcome to the Assembly.

He is; I am not.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we've missed anyone, we thank you very much for allowing us to represent the people in Northwest Territories. It's always a great pleasure to have people here with our proceedings.

Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member from the Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Can the Minister explain the department's plan and timeline to address the failures identified in the auditor general's report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that this is the third audit of child and family services, what will the Minister do differently to ensure these failures are not repeated again? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think a lot of the work that we have been doing over since I -- since I've been the Minister, the main focus has been on -- and, you know, I know in the last government, I was -- it was mentioned I was on the standing committee and we did release a report. We did a very, you know -- we reached out to many different -- we reached out to families, children, you know, people who work in the system, and the public. And what we are doing right now is that is our guiding document of the work that we are doing within internally. And, you know, we've shared the LP for the legislation that's going to help make significant changes within the system.

The big thing that we have been doing is really working on increasing the amount of Indigenous foster parents. So that way when children do have to, you know, under -- if there is a reason that they cannot remain and be supported in homes, then at least that they're with a foster family that's Indigenous or within a family that is in the community. So we have increased that. And we also have been really promoting the work of voluntary service agreements with those families who need support. And right now, when we look at all of the children that are under child and family services, 75 percent of those children are supported by child and family services in their home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to working directly with Indigenous governments to address these findings and rebuild trust in the child and family services system? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course I have been working with Indigenous governments. You know, when we meet with the Council of Leaders, one of the things that I do raise many times when this issue is brought up is the work that we want to do with them. We've done that with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. You know, they have drawn down and they do all of the preventative service for child and family services for Inuvialuit in the Northwest Territories. So, you know, if there's other Indigenous governments, we are here. We've sent letters, we've reached out, I've spoken to them whenever I've met with them that this -- when they've raised child and family service issues that we are willing to work with them so that they can draw this down and we can support them in that. And with Bill C92, I think that with the changes with that, that's why that prompted us to really enforce the changes that we need to make in our legislation in order to be able to, as a government, be more flexible with Indigenous partners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.