Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to the issue of barging services in Nunakput riding. Since the GNWT, Mr. Speaker, has taken over barging six years ago, our communities continue to be at risk of barge schedule and weather, and they always run out of supplies in the communities which is costing our community members more to fly in materials off the airplane and whatever is needed.

Mr. Speaker, the barge schedule is set every year. So why are the community resupplies not the first priority to be complete? Why do our communities consistently wait to the end of shipping season and hope their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, condolences to my residents in Nunakput over the last few months.

For Paulatuk, Fred Bennett, thoughts and prayers to his wife Mary. Fred Thrasher, too. Thoughts and prayers for Eileen and the family.

Sachs Harbour, Samantha Lucas. And thoughts and prayers to John Lucas Sr. and family. And Charlie Haogak Jr. Thoughts and prayers, his mother Betty.

In Ulukhaktok, Mr. Phillip Inuktalik, and his wife Lillian, thoughts and prayers to them.

In my home community of Tuktoyaktuk, thoughts and prayers for the community of Tuk, passing Lena Kikoak, and thoughts and prayers to...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my wife Jenny and my son Joseph into the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I just we just need to we're just short of houses in the communities, and money's been given. We got like, she said earlier, 34 million. 66 houses for the aboriginal governments and another 30 or 60 for our territorial government. A hundred twenty something units, Madam Speaker. We need units on the ground. We can't give lip service no more. We need a timeline to work forward to getting this done. And I'm just trying to hold people accountable. It's our job. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So Madam Speaker, with the funding that the Indigenous governments got, $34 million into the NWT, how does it work in regards to getting them and holding them accountable for providing building units in our communities that need it, or do they just get to sit on the money and pop houses in regards to wherever they think they're needed and we're in dire need now. So how does this government hold the Indigenous governments accountable for housing monies from the federal government? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today's budget address for Nunakput is this is what I'd like to see I guess in our budget if we could do anything, roughly 17 million or 4 percent of the GNWT's capital budget will be spent in Nunakput riding. How much of that operational budget is spent in my riding?

In Nunakput, we are in the High Arctic, the most remote communities, coldest darkest region. They don't have basic services that it can be a matter of survival, Madam Speaker. For instance, just last year in Ulukhaktok when the internet went down and a storm approaching, people couldn't access money to...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the coinvestment fund is $34.5 million. We have to hold our local Indigenous governments accountable. I'm Indigenous, and we need houses in our communities. We need them sooner than later. They already got the monies. They've been sitting on it for a bit. I've been trying to get in contact with my Inuvialuit Regional Development Corporation in regards to where they're at with units. Nothing. How do we hold them accountable, and how do we get houses and units on the ground for people that the money's intended for instead of sitting on it? Thank you...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today we'd like to just, you know, find a solution for housing in the community of Paulatuk. We're really in core dire need over there because we have been told today we have 29 on the waiting list. 29 applications. Madam Speaker, can the Minister commit to work with the community of Paulatuk for the housing solutions within the life of this Assembly, and that the 28 people that need a home in Paulatuk. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I'll continue to talk about the needs of my riding of housing.

Recent surveys shows the population of Paulatuk has increased by 33 people, it's up to 297. But unfortunately the survey showed that the number of houses in the community has declined 8 percent. Currently 81 homes in Paulatuk for 298 people. Of these 81 homes, 23 of these units are in core need, Madam Speaker. That means that either the home is not adequate, affordable, suitable for the people to live in the community.

Yesterday we heard from the Minister we have 15 people. When I asked, we have 15 to...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I'm happy to hear the Minister's willing to commit to working with us in regards to Nunakput because we do have a housing strategy being done for a couple of elders facilities that these companies are willing to build and work together with getting a negotiated lease, I guess, that's what's going to be needed to happen. And if I could get commitment, again, for the record, that she's willing to work with us to get these units completed in my riding of Nunakput and the Beaufort Delta. Thank you, Madam Speaker.