Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, this Indigenous language revitalizations, so I know that there's a lot of our community members they go south once a year to the University of Alberta, you know, enrolling to program for the language. So this is part of the project. And why  I just wanted to know why there is a cut or did they  like, she talked quite a few times about the redistribution so is this program  you know, are we cancelling this program, or is there  did it go somewhere? Because I'm sure our Indigenous students are going to be asking about that.

(audio) talk about it too that we need more child care spaces. And I know that in Tlicho region, we do have a waitlist for child care services or child care space within the licensed daycare centres. And at this time, we don't have new daycare centres. We have daycare centres that are from houses that were retrofitted, you know, fixed up to the standard, but there's Gameti, there's Behchoko, Whati. I know there was one in Wekweeti too. But this all depends on the population. So in Gameti alone, they're using Tlicho government office building, and I know they've been asking for new daycare...

Thank you. Thank you for the informations. And Skills Canada, I know that is one of the  you know, like, few years ago but I know due to COVID and the other emergency that, you know, happened in the Northwest Territories. So I know that there  I don't know how  I know there was not too many participants in that within the last few years. So Skills Canada, can the Minister explain  or is this program still being used? Because we haven't heard too much about it for the competition. Thank you.

Thank you. Of the 1,956 child care spaces that you just mentioned, so can you tell me how many of those are in Tlicho region? Or is this number part of Tlicho region, or are they excluded?

I'm sure if you approach Tlicho Investment, they will be happy to fill the positions, you know, because we know that trades, we really do need trades and we emphasize that with our young people that, you know  because many of the trades people that we have right now, they're passed retirement age but there's nobody to come after them. So it's, like, they're still working, you know, like  and a lot of them are saying that, you know, like, they want to retire but there's nobody to take their job. So, and I'm very grateful, thankful for the housing for having the  you know, the scholarship...

Okay, Mr. Speaker, I know that we have talked a lot in this House about the needs for elders and seniors to age with dignity, and my motion that I put forward, it's actions behind these words. There are many elders in my ridings and other regions as well. There are many elders out there who are struggling to make ends meet. We know that the NWT is faced with high cost of living, the fuel price, the groceries. It's very difficult for people in the small communities, especially the elders, especially with children too as well because many of the elders are caring for their grandchildren. So it's...

Thank you. This heating fuel subsidy, you know, if you go to small communities, especially in December and January, the coldest month of the year, a lot of these elders, they have wood stove, so they are eligible for either wood or heating fuel. And a lot of them are going for the fuel because it is expensive to maintain or, you know, it they are expensive to get especially in the small communities. There's also for woods, too, as well, but a lot of them they said they would rather go get the fuel. But, and I know some of them were asking why not why have you know, like, they like the...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is the Housing Debt Among Elders and Seniors, and it's for housing Minister.

The accumulation of housing debt among elders and seniors in the Northwest Territories can cause serious financial hardship as they age. There are tools available for the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide relief to elders and seniors. Can the Minister of housing provide information to understand the extent of debt owed to the Government of the Northwest Territories from seniors' housing units and actions taken to collect on this debt:

Over the last five years, can...

Well, senior citizens supplementary benefits, it's not huge, but can the Minister explain more what that program does.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Committee Report 220(1), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 2: Missing Persons Act, be received by the Assembly and referred to Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.