Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment it its mandate to work in partnership with other orders of government to address affordable housing requirements and to support Aboriginal local governments in their housing aspirations and initiatives to address homelessness. We are delivering on that commitment, and I am pleased to tell you today that a new partnership initiative between the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and K’atlodeeche First Nation that will let us deliver housing services and programs on reserve land. The core housing need for the Hay River Reserve is nearly 40 per cent, Mr. Speaker, one of the highest rates in the territory. It was imperative that progress be made in this area. Delivery of social housing on reserve land presents unique challenges because of the requirement for secure land tenure. However, recognizing their members need housing programs and services, the K’atlodeeche First Nation went through the land designation process, allowing the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to secure a land lease for property on the Hay River Reserve from the Government of Canada. The K’atlodeeche First Nation and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation worked closely and diligently to achieve this result, assisted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. As a result of this work, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has recently acquired 10 units on the land designated by the K’atlodeeche First Nation that will be rented to their residents under the Public Housing Program. We are also working to acquire six more properties. These are significant actions to bolster and stabilize rental housing on the reserve, which totals less than 90 households. Mr. Speaker, a collaboration of this kind with the K’atlodeeche First Nation, under such unique land and governance related circumstances, is an example of what we can accomplish when we come together to remove barriers and work on solutions across all levels of government to meet the needs of our community residents. We hope that the spirit of this partnership can act as a blueprint for future collaborations with other Aboriginal and local governments to overcome challenges they may be facing in meeting their housing aspirations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers’ statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
