Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly the issue of core need is a complex one. I don’t think any Members of this Assembly underestimate how challenging it will be to solve. What this motion does is provide clear direction that is both measureable and achievable to this government to address a serious problem here in the NWT. If it is true that the national core need statistic doesn’t apply to the North, well my constituents don’t feel it that way. They’re looking for relief in terms of affordability, and I think the same can be said for many of the constituents, at least the Regular...

Thank you to the Premier for his response. Yesterday as well we heard from the Premier that the return on investment for the Mineral Incentive Program is at three to one, which is quite commendable. In a time when we need significant economic activity here, in the North, to get our growth back on track, why have we not invested more resources into this very important program that has such a high return and impact on our economy? It sits at $400,000. In the Yukon, a similar program is at $1 million. Why have we not committed more resources to stimulate our economy directly and create some jobs...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Premier as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment spoke about the government’s efforts to support the mining industry. My questions about that today: the federal government recently renewed its mining tax credit, but it remains consistent throughout the country. I’m wondering if the Premier has discussed creating a higher credit for the North out of that tax credit and working the federal government to further incentivize the mining industry by expanding that tax credit for the three northern jurisdictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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. I note that our colleagues in Nunavut have taken some action on suicide prevention in their territory. I wonder: When is the last time the Department of Health and Social Services studied our suicide rates and the efficiency of our prevention programs and kind of drilled down into the information? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Earlier today, the federal government announced $70 million in new funding over three years to address the health and suicide crisis involving Indigenous people living on reserve and in the Territories. It does appear that most of these, the largest parts of this funding, are going to be addressed towards Nunavut. I’m wondering if the Minister has been in touch with Ottawa about this and if we know some of this money is going to be Northwest Territories to help with our mental health problem. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand that there is no difference today regarding other funding, but if we wanted to make a policy change to Metis benefits now, could we do that theoretically on our own, or is it rigidly mirrored, or could we make those minor corrections? Say if a Metis client in the Northwest Territories had some trouble. Could the Minister, our Minister of Health make a policy change to that program, or does that not happen currently, if there was a gap in coverage? Thank you.