Lucy Kuptana

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the recent Housing Symposium that was hosted by the NWT Housing Forum on January 22nd and 23rd in Yellowknife. This year's symposium marked the first in-person gathering since the forum began in 2023. Over the course of two days, we engaged in important discussions, shared innovative ideas, and strengthened our partnerships.

I want to extend my gratitude to over 85 representatives from Indigenous governments, bands, non-governmental organizations, municipal and community governments, industry, and the federal and territorial governments who participated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as noted, meeting with the MLA last August, I believe, of 2024, we did discuss cancellation provisions. So the local NGO does have to come up with funding for their program or their proposal, and they have until the end of March 2025 to provide that and then the clause in terms of cancellation provisions will be in effect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Rockhill properties, we do have an agreement with a local NGO to develop Rockhill properties. The agreement is in force until the end of March 2025, so we still have a bit of time with the local NGO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No movement yet. I did ask Housing NWT for some information, and we don't have any updated information at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the current fiscal year, we have a duplex that was completed in Inuvik and also 34 units that are under the modernization and improvement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In terms of a timeline for the M and I projects, we're looking at spring of 2025 to complete most. We are waiting on approval for the biomass project for the 17-unit apartment in Inuvik to transfer that over to a biomass energy. So waiting on approval on further funding for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the president, Housing NWT, visiting the building, what she's proposed to do is meet with the landlords, the leaseholders, and have a discussion about safety and security in the building, amping that up because of all the illegal activities happening within the unit and the concerns from the tenants. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the urgency of this concern and considering the activities within the housing -- or the building itself, I've asked the president of Housing NWT to have a discussion over the next month. So hopefully we'll hear something within the next few weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I've been in the building. I've had a number of family members live in the building. I understand the concerns coming from the MLA. Good thing to know, though, in the past week we've had the president for Housing NWT visit the building to look at it for herself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories 2023-2024 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.