Inuvik Boot Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 32)

Right now, we can't really set a timeline based on the resources that some of these communities have. As I mentioned, we have a fire protection action planning tool, as well, that was developed in 2017. It identifies priority activities, monitors progress, works toward a safe, effective, sustainable fire service. We have 13 community action plans under that planning tool.

We will continue to work with the NWTAC LGANT as well as the NWT Fire Association. We will be meeting with them at their upcoming general meeting 2018 to give them an update and see how we can work together collaboratively to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 32)

Right now, it is just the local governments that are responsible. We provide the support. We provide the training, as the Member alluded to in his Member's statement. From May 25th to May 27th, we had a Part I defensive-level firefighter course that took place. I believe there is going to be a follow-up coming in June. We continue to work with all our municipal governments to ensure that fire protection plans are in place for the community, and we do provide the supports.

We also have a community fire protection video as well as a presentation, which we have done in 18 community government...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 32)

As you heard in my Minister's statement, one great project, that's a pilot project that we're rolling out in these four communities, is the Northern Pathways to Housing Program. It's not only going to be housing some of our homeless residents, but it's going to give them the opportunity to get the wrap-around services that they need. We also will be expanding our home ownership supports, which includes launching a new home program targeted at public housing tenants, which has been mentioned by the previous Minister, and how we can work with our tenants who are in good behavior, in good...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Most recently myself, along with my territorial, provincial and federal counterparts, have been working to endorse the Multi-lateral Housing Partnership Framework. We continue to negotiate with Canada, through the National Housing Strategy, and our current next step is to work on signing a bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada through the Northern Housing Fund. We didn't get our fair share of that funding, so we are negotiating with the Government of Canada to address those issues, and that agreement hopefully should be signed this fall so we'll be able to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is working hard to meet the commitments made by this government to advance affordable housing and address homelessness during the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, we know that some of our residents experience homelessness in communities outside Yellowknife. Meeting their needs helps us to address the issue of homelessness throughout the territory. The Housing Corporation is working with community groups to develop, design, and implement supportive housing for these residents through the Northern Pathways...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, there were no requests for funding from the City of Yellowknife. We couldn't even give an answer, because there were no requests for this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Currently, the Government of Canada has made disaster mitigation funding available for five years only. However, there remains great interest among the provinces and territories to continue extend it beyond that period. For the community of Sachs Harbour, we are willing to sit down and talk to the hamlet, as well as the leadership, to look at future projects in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Yes. In early 2018, MACA did some work with ENR to obtain $800,000 through the federal Climate Change Preparedness Program. The goal is to implement adaptation measures identified through the mitigation plan to work in the community of Tuktoyaktuk, including relocation of private homes from areas most affected by the erosion.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

As Members know, we have created a homelessness coordinator position in the previous government. To find out the exact number of homeless people we have in the territory would be tough, because we do have a lot of people who also do couch surfing. I will commit that we will try to address the issue; look at the model that the City of Yellowknife has done with this program. It is a great program, and I applaud the City of Yellowknife for taking that on and working with the NWT Housing Corporation and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. We will look at continuing to support...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Across all departments, we have certain programs. We are willing to work with NGOs, communities, and I think the City of Yellowknife has a really great program that can model to other communities across the Northwest Territories that are dealing with homelessness. I encourage other communities to speak with other departments, such as ECE. I can mediate those kinds of discussions as Minister of Homelessness.

I encourage communities to look at the model that the City of Yellowknife has done and try something in their municipalities. I think it is a really great story throughout the Northwest...