Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, member for Monfwi.
Well, if the Minister wants to do something about it, they can transfer the unit about the if they want if she wants to do something about the arrears, they can transfer the unit to to the tenants living in there, give the homeowner, and bring other programs, like home assistance program back.
But anyways, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister responsible can the Minister responsible for Housing NWT provide information from the framework on the transfer of housing unit ownership from Housing NWT to longterm tenants. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I hear the member's passion as well too. I would like to see a lot of the housing units transferred over to the clients. But we are experiencing difficulties within the transfer. We're looking at the environmental, the condition of the units, the health and safety of the units as well too, and the liability. But it doesn't stop us from continuing to work with those tenants as well.
And as of today, I think we've received approximately 150 applications that are wanting public housing to be sold to the tenants. And I will keep the member informed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions, like I said in my Member's statement, are for the Minister of Infrastructure.
The 468kilometre section of the Dempster Highway is currently the area I'm talking about in the Yukon. Can the Minister provide an update if there's been any discussions with the Yukon government about improving the Dempster Highway in particular to that section of the highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have discussed the need for investment on the Dempster Highway across the border. You know, I've been hearing concerns from the people that are having to drive that part of the Dempster, that, you know, it needs some work. So we have discussion. We have ongoing discussions with the the Yukon's Minister of Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if possible, will the Minister within these talks with the Yukon possibly do a joint submission to Canada for dollars to improve the Yukon section of the Dempster Highway.
As I mentioned, it's an awful highway when you have to use it for transportation out of our region. We've got the MacKenzie Delta, the Nunakput, both Inuvik constituencies. They continuously travel out that road. That's the only road out of the Beaufort Delta. It brings in all of our food, our fuel, our supplies. That is a lifeline for us.
I drive I drove into Yellowknife. All the highways into Hay River, Enterprise, here are chip sealed. They're beautiful. People around here may not think they're beautiful. Drive the Yukon portion of the Dempster Highway. You will think they are beautiful.
So will this Minister commit to putting in a joint application or work with her counterpart to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to know that the rest of the highways are in excellent condition, and therefore, we need to I agree with the Member. You know, I drive that highway too. Same with yourself, Mr. Speaker. So, you know, yes, we will continue to make efforts to be able to have a joint submission with the Yukon. So we were having that discussion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll correct myself. Maybe they're not that wonderful. But like I said, if you drive the Dempster Highway, even that section from Behchoko to Yellowknife is a lot nicer than the section from the corner to the border.
Will the Minister also mention that when in these discussions to include improvements being made to these bridges.
As I mentioned in my member's statement, the bridge that you first cross when you hit the Dempster Highway is a single lane wooden bridge. And this limits what can go up and down that highway. And if we were able to get the federal dollars to change that bridge out, maybe that could be try and solve some of our housing issues because then we could pull up modulars through there.
So will the Minister commit to adding those into this joint submission or having that discussion. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm just trying to look at what the member is saying.
I understand the Member's concern about the I know exactly which bridge she's referring to, and it does have weight restrictions which really doesn't allow much fuel, equipment coming up on Dempster Highway.
So yes, we will have that discussion on the bridge. I think that's an important piece of infrastructure that we need to get to work with the Yukon government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only last commitment that I'd ask is if the Minister could just follow up with me when she's going to be meeting with the Minister responsible for infrastructure and what their plan is because this is something I mean, this highway has been there since 1979, and I don't know if that other side of the highway has been touched much. So I think it's end of life, and it really needs to be looked at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, I'll keep the Member informed on some of the discussions that we will be having.
I just want to note that Minister Alghabra, who is the federal Minister of Transportation, is planning a visit to the Northwest Territories this summer. So I plan to see if I could get him up to the Beaufort Delta to see some of the problems that we are having with infrastructure, including some of the effects on climate change and the need for investment on the Yukon side of the Dempster. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm so excited about the road conversation. I kind of want to throw my questions out the window and keep at the Minister of Infrastructure. But I'm going to move on to the Minister of Housing.
My first question is around the recently purchased Nordic Arms. Could the Minister tell me if any public or housing clients have been moved into that unit as of today. Thank you.
Thank you, member for Great Slave. Minister responsible for Housing.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We haven't moved any tenants into the Nordic Arms. We did do a technical assessment of the building and found there needs to be some repairs to the building. And we're scheduling this work to be done as soon as possible, but there is coordination being done right now with the current tenants of that building. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MS. NOKLEBY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would really love if the Minister could share that technical assessment with the standing committee so that we could have a look at it as well.
Next, my question is recently the federal government has announced that there is more funding for NWT Housing in our communities. Can the Minister speak to what these announcements are going to mean for the people in our communities and our territory. How many actual new houses are we going to see with the announcement that the feds made. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for that question. As of right now, we haven't finalized the agreement with Canada. So I can't commit to be sharing any of those details yet until we actually see what is going to be asked for this funding and if there's going to be any expectations, I guess, of how we are to spend it.
But I want to take this opportunity to also just highlight the work that I've been doing with the National CoInvestment Fund. The Housing Corporation did invest into a navigator I'm sorry, I'm not too sure of the title. I can't think of it right now for the individual. She has been doing amazing work with CMHC.
As of today, the family support centre has submitted an application of project value of $3.7 million for 14 units. Habitat Humanity has also submitted as well too. We're going to be seeing 10 new homeownership units. Avens Society as well too, 102 units expansion.
And Borealis CoOp, 50 units for their for affordable housing for families. And Spruce Bough, we have supported that application going forward as well too, $640,000. The Nahanni Butte Dene Band has also submitted to create 10 new units, bachelor and onebedroom market rentals.
YWCA has also been successful with their application for 21 units for 33 beds supporting housing and women and children.
NWT Community Services, Northern United Place, they submitted for a project value of $6 million. And also NWT Disabilities has also submitted an application for coinvestment and looking at a De Beers legacy project as well too. And just recently announced in the media we do have a successful application with Deline for 10 more units in the community.
So Housing has really emphasized on the opportunity with the federal announcements and with the federal funding that is there. We're working very strongly with the federal government to getting more houses in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm really glad to hear all of that. I'm glad to actual numbers of units, including the YWCA. I think the Minister knows I've always been a strong proponent of the work that they do.
I'm just going to throw the Minister a bit of a curve ball here and ask how is she ensuring that while this work is being done that we are ensuring that northern manufacturers are having the ability to participate in this work.
I know that there's been an ongoing conversation around foundation designs and basically RFPs scoping out northern businesses by being very specific in what they're dictating.
So can the Minister speak to how she's going to ensure that northern manufacturers get a portion of some of this new money that's been announced by the federal government. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the unit delivery, I'm emphasizing on northern businesses to benefit from the 90unit delivery and also for the coinvestment applications and really trying to bridge those relationships.
We do have our units going out for public tender. We did have Indigenous governments approach us as well and wanting to know you know, they wanted to be acknowledged, what is being built in our community and looking at further opportunities.
So we have been engaging with the northern manufacturers as well too. We're looking at stick build. We're looking at every idea throughout the territories to maximize on this benefit and getting houses into these communities a lot faster.
I'm really hoping to see that 2023 will be a strong construction season and creating employment in small communities and apprenticeship opportunities as well too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for her responses. And she knows we'll all be holding her to task about those comments.
My last question is just a little bit of a side tangent as well. But recently I was in Fort Simpson, and I noted that there were a couple units there that were under construction that had been impacted recently by fire. And when I spoke with people in town, they told me that they were RCMP housing that was being constructed by the Housing Corp.
So my understanding is that due to this vandalism, that the work has stopped. And I'm just wondering if the Minister can provide us with an update on what's happening there and what happens from a fiscal standpoint when the GNWT doesn't fulfill the contract to the RCMP for the delivery of those units on time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for this question. But there is further details that is with the Department of Justice right now that we are working very closely with them. And there are further details that I would rather just follow up with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now about half of our climate change reduction targets in the 2030 Energy Strategy and our climate strategic framework are dependent on us building the Taltson Hydro Expansion. And I am looking forward to the department releasing the business case on that sometime in the near future.
But my understanding is, you know, in order for that to happen, we need about $750 million from the feds; we need about $250 million of our own money; we need an increase in our debt ceiling; we need three new mines to exist around the lake; we need the support of Indigenous governments.
And, you know, if all of those things line up, we might just build Taltson in time for 2030. That's a pretty tight regulatory turnaround and construction timeline to meet our energy targets. I actually hope all of those things come together in the next eight years here, Mr. Speaker.
But my question is considering this is about half of our current targets for reductions, what is the plan if we don't build Taltson? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Advancing the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project remains a priority of this government, and we will continue to work to advance this transformative project transformative sorry, project with our Indigenous partners. This project has significant potential to help stabilize the cost of energy, grow our economy, and reduce the reduce industrial and transportation sector emissions.
There is no single project other than this Taltson that can have the same level of impact in this regard. It is a key component of our vision to reduce our dependence on diesel and transition to lower carbon economy.
The role that a project such as the Taltson play in our future ability to meet territorial emissions targets is dependent on when the project comes online.
As we move forward with renewed action plans under the 2030 Energy Strategy, our actions will be adjusted as needed to reflect the timing of when larger projects such as the Taltson comes online. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, I was hoping we could at least somewhat acknowledge that there is a world where this billiondollar project doesn't happen and we have put some thought in how to meet our climate targets.
Additionally, when you look at the 2030 Energy Strategy, all of the reductions in there are actually with us building a transmission lineto the diamond mine so they are in hydro. But I'm pretty sure when we get this business case, phase 1, which is the expansion of the dam, phase 2, which is connecting the north and south grids, are well past 2030 already. And the possibility of actually going into the diamond mines is a much bigger question mark.
So my question is when we finally get the business case to be public, will be the Minister go back to the number in the energy strategy and maybe attribute what is actually realistic for Taltson to accomplish because I don't think it's realistic to just say that by 2030, we're going to have all our diamond mines on hydro from Taltson. I think that's just simply misleading the public in that current energy strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, work is underway to assess some of the different emission reduction targets above and beyond our existing 2030 commitments, including update federal climate targets. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And this brings me to my next question, which is that, you know, the targets that I think we've set out are unrealistic, yet the fact is we are using 30 percent below 2005 levels for 2030. The federal government has recently changed to 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
It was previous GNWT policy to always follow and mirror the federal target. Now all of our documents are at a much lower rate, and we don't even seem on path to meet them.
So my question is are we going to amend the climate change strategic framework and the Energy strategy to once again follow what the federal target for greenhouse gas emissions is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To be blunt, no. We need to understand the technical feasibility and the economic implications of the various emissions reduction pathways. One thing is clear, Mr. Speaker. Without new initiatives and significant additional federal funding support, we will be challenged to be able to meet our existing targets, and reaching higher targets will not be possible.
We expect this modeling work to be completed this fiscal year and inform the fiveyear renew of the 2030 Energy Strategy, which is scheduled to commence in 2023. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now in our 2030 Energy Strategy under the longterm section, there's one small reference to small nuclear reactors. And there's yet to be one licensed in Canada as is noted in our life's strategy. But the federal government has recently announced an action plan for developing small nuclear reactors. I've heard many in industry talk about this as a potential solution.
I'm just wondering if the Minister could update the House whether the GNWT is doing any work in this area or whether further plans will develop on the small potential of small nuclear reactors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As part of the 2030 Energy Strategy, the GNWT is committed to monitor emerging technologies such as a small nuclear reactor. In fact, when developing the strategy, we heard from the public that in order to be a good solution in the Northwest Territories, small modular reactors need to be technically viable, reliable, cost effective, and most importantly, there must be public and community acceptance.
As the small modular reactors are yet to be commercially available, the GNWT continues to monitor the development of this technology also to participate in federal, provincial, territorial working groups on this matter.
We will continue to do this moving forward as well as continue to collaborate with other northern jurisdiction to study and access the feasibility of deploying small modular reactors here in the north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, member for Yellowknife North. Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are in regards to the child and youth care counsellor program. I note that we're about just over two years in to the new way that schools are being able to bring child and youth care counsellors into their schools. And so I'm wondering if cabinet can speak to what kind of feedback or review process Health is undertaking with schools to evaluate this program and how are the CYCCs collaborating with teaching staff to provide that feedback. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
I didn't hear it.
Member for Kam Lake, can you please repeat your question. Thank you.
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I was just noting that we're two years in to the child and youth care counsellor program, and I was wondering what kind of feedback or review process Health has undertaken with schools to evaluate this program. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're now in phase 4 of the CYCC program. So we are, in fact, planning to evaluate it in this fiscal year.
So it's a twopart process. The first part is underway now and before the end of the school year, and it is really addressed to educators and people who may not be in the job in the fall. The second part is with service users and with others who have interacted with the system.
So I'm confident that it will be a robust evaluation, and it will include who's using the service, what's the balance between children and community use of the service, whether the service received is acceptable to the people using it. Those are the kinds of things that we're going to dig into so that we can make any improvements that people tell us about to make the program stronger. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to request that teachers be made part of that process. Some of the feedback that I'm hearing is that there's definitely a feeling of an iron wall in some instances between the teaching staff and the Health and Social Services staff. And so there is a desire to have a collaborative process of how to support students in the classroom if there is ways for teachers to better support their students.
So I'd just like to leave that there.
But I'm wondering if the Minister can speak to the number of CYCC vacancies that currently exist across the territory. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the Deh Cho region, there are no vacancies. In the Tlicho region, there is one vacancy in Whati with a competition in progress.
In the Sahtu, there are no vacancies oh, no. I beg your pardon. There's one in Fort Good Hope with a competition in progress.
In the Beaufort Delta, there is a vacancy in Ulukhaktok, and there is a vacancy that looks like a verbal offer has been accepted in Tuk. So that position has been filled.
Yellowknife region looks like everything's filled. South Slave, one vacancy in Fort Smith. Hay River, positions are filled. Fort Resolution, position is filled. And Lutselk'e, there is a vacant position and a competition is in progress. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that response. So that response is great news. Currently on the career's website, there are still advertisements out for some of the regions where all the vacancies have been filled, just of note to the Minister.
This past week, we celebrated here at the Legislative Assembly 15 new Indigenous counsellors that just finished their twoyear diploma program. And so I'm wondering if these brand new Indigenous counsellors will be offered CYCC positions within our schools or with the department of Health and Social Services. Thank you.
Yes, thank you. I'd like to say again how proud I am of that program and the people who finished it. We have supported this program from its inception, and we created the addictions aftercare fund so that community governments, Indigenous governments could hire the Indigenous wellness workers to work for them directly.
I don't have information how many of those positions have been taken up by the Indigenous and community governments at this point.
The wellness workers are welcomed to apply for any job that is advertised by the GNWT, but we are not making offers outside of the regular staffing process. Thank you.
