Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As the Minister said, if the focus on the program is on lower income earners and to address poverty issues, shall we say, then perhaps the program is working. What it is not doing is helping middle-class or middle-income earners, who are perhaps single parents or individuals renting. It is not doing much to help them. My concern is that affordability remains high, and if you are a young person coming back to start your life in the North and you don’t have two incomes and you are renting and your rent is very high and your cost of living increases to grow, you can’t find...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand that the TRSP has some difficulties with uptake. What is the current usage rate of the program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. How did those semi-independent housing units fit with the Housing First model being that the Housing First model is driven by consumer choice? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am just looking at the two homelessness initiatives, transitional support of housing and Housing First model. In the Minister’s opening comments, she mentioned that there would be an additional $16.6 million in new federal social infrastructure funding, and one of the initiatives will be sending independent Housing First units. Trying to reconcile these two line items, one being Housing First model and the other being transitional support of housing. Core principles of Housing First are immediate access to housing with no housing readiness requirements, consumer choice...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister explain what culturally appropriate housing is? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regardless of the circumstances of the Yukon, I do believe our economy is a few percentage points larger than theirs. At a time when we need economic activity, especially in the mining sector, and this program has a three to one return on investment, I’d like to see more resources put into this thing. I’d very much like to see the Premier commit to expanding on this program. If he could make such commitment that would be appreciated, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My followup question would be: could the Minister then work with the Premiers of Nunavut and Yukon to speak to the Prime Minister and advocate for this benefit? The industry has been very clear that they would like to see expanded financial help to getting our resources out of the ground up here and to further expand on exploration activities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, June 15th is world elder abuse day, and I want to spend some time today to discuss this issue that affects one of the most vulnerable communities in the North and the world. It is a natural part of our heritage as Northerners to show reverence for our elders. Northerners respect the long journey older adults have taken through their lives. Elders are the stewards of our history, culture, and traditions, raising a family sometimes beyond just your children, and growing up in a world where Twitter was only something that actual birds did. Elders in the North...

Are those 150 clients receiving the full amount of the allocated funding? The $900,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding of consumer choice would be that there is a choice given. The purpose is to house people and they have a choice in where they are being housed, not forced into housing. I don’t think that is one of the principles at all. By providing a rent subsidy, as per most established Housing First models, you give clients more choices than a handful of, I think the Minister previously provided, 30 semi-independent housing units. That is where I am finding the most difficulty with calling these Housing First units. I don’t take issue with transitional supportive...