Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'd like to thank the mover and seconder of the motion as well. Housing is very important to everybody in the territories, and homeownership is just that much more important.

This government, though, has to stop perpetuating the myth that Indigenous people cannot manage homeownership. It is a common theme, though, beyond homeownership and it has to stop, and it has to stop here. And in saying that, I support the motion fully. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I requested a flowchart outlining the DAP process from the Minister. Can the Minister confirm that that flowchart is being worked on and when it might be available? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that this project's going to, you know, be south of $700 million.

So Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what discussions are taking place with the federal government to access the required funding and supports for the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway between Wrigley and Norman Wells? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that answer. I think it might have just about answered everything here. But I'm going to ask anyway.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what is the expected cost to complete that portion of the highway from Wrigley to Norman Wells and what are the factors driving any increase in cost? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to actually thank the department and the Hay River Health Authority for having people available right off the start to talk to people, because what I found is that, you know, a lot of the people that were impacted, they needed, you know, somebody to hear their story. So I'd like to thank the department for that, and the Hay River Health Authority.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm how long we can except to have counsellors on the ground in Hay River to support those victims requiring mental health supports due to the flooding? Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm how many mental health counsellors are on the ground in Hay River and if the department has sent in additional counsellors from other communities? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to NWT small communities, each is impacted by the high cost of living, limited business opportunities, lack of sustainable employment, lack of acceptable housing, lack of an acceptable level of health care, education and infrastructure; all issues that have been discussed on the floor of this House over the years by various MLAs with minimal resolve.

Mr. Speaker, in a previous statement I pointed out that, above all, one major project that would have a substantial impact on the economy and on the lives of residents in the NWT is the completion of the Mackenzie Valley...

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I thank the Minister for the answer because, you know, that's what I was looking for, is that when those assessments start to, you know, start to hit the desk of the pathfinder and the agreements are made, I'm hoping that, you know, the advances can go out and people can start working on repairing their homes or replacing them right away. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Has any of this money I guess made its way to victims, especially ones that don't have the financial resources to I guess sustain themselves?

Like, we have people out there that, you know, that are financially stable. They, you know, they may have a mortgage but they're able to, or you know, if they have to move out of their house they can rent a hotel or whatever. But we have those people who are, you know, living paycheque to paycheque. They just don't have those resources. They're paying a mortgage. They're paying rent. So I guess I'm asking this, has any of these...

In favour.