R.J. Simpson

Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a complex issue that touches all aspects of society and all NWT communities. Every jurisdiction across the country is facing this issue, amplified in recent years by the pandemic, the rising cost of living, illicit drugs, and climate-related emergencies. What causes people to lose their housing and the cascading effect on their lives and the communities where they live are varied. This is why A Way Home, the Government of the Northwest Territories Homelessness Strategy, is a whole-of-government approach that requires partnership and collaboration with all...

Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 193-20(1), Capital Estimates 2025-2026, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 193-20(1) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Cabinet will be abstaining from this out of respect for the independence of the Office of the Auditor General.

I just wanted to say that I agree with much of what I've heard from the Members. I receive complaints about the health care services as well just like every MLA in here. I do want to temper people's expectations. I've seen a number of OAG audits. It doesn't necessarily result in change. It's not a silver bullet. The OAG can come in, identify some issues, and then leave, and then we are looking at some issues that we're aware of without the necessarily the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We're just so lucky to have so many dignitaries in the audience today.

I'd also like to recognize the Yamoga Land Corporation president Joseph Tobac who, when I travelled to Fort Good Hope, he was the deputy chief at that time. As well as Bob Overvold who was, at one time, the deputy minister of the department, so I want to welcome him. And, of course, Marc Whitford, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so EIA recently took over this file, and so the team is building capacity. I can't really commit the team to, you know, connect people in Yellowknife to services and people in the other 32 communities. That might be a bit much. But that being said, we will work with the population. We are working with the vulnerable population and the NGOs to see how we can best serve their needs and how we can do it in an integrated fashion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm sure the Member can appreciate that we've been busy this week. I haven't had a chance to read the report myself. But I know that staff are reviewing it, and staff from EIA did contribute to the report as well. So after that review is done, I look forward to speaking with the department to figure out what the next steps are going forward. Because as I've said many times in this House, the Street Outreach is a valuable service, and when I'm in Yellowknife, I stay downtown and so I see their work on a regular basis, and I very much appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize our former colleague and current Grand Chief Mr. Jackson Lafferty as well as Major Tony Brushett with the Salvation Army, who is one of those NGO partners that I spoke about earlier today. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chair, we wish to deal with Tabled Document 193-20(1), 2025-2026 Capital Estimates, to conclude consideration of all departments, and Bill 15. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2023 Annual Report; NWT RCMP Policing Priorities 2024-2027; and, Territorial Police Service Agreement - RCMP Annual Report (2023-2024). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.