Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I had mentioned that we're in a housing crisis here in the Northwest Territories. I'm not really sure whether or not the Indigenous governments here in the Northwest Territories know that the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Housing Corporation are making application to CIRNAC to apply for grant money, to take that money and then reinvest it in fixing up public housing, when they're supposed to be using that money to be dealing with the housing crisis here in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, as my statement earlier today, I rise to request that the Honourable Premier engage in meeting with the Dene Nation and its member First Nations to ensure the remaining federal investment dollars in public housing is used exclusively to support safe and affordable housing in our communities. Will the Premier take action? Mr. Speaker, this question will be to the Deputy Premier. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Deputy Premier.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to start off by saying the homeless strategy is a priority of this government. As a result, it's being led by the Premier. So meeting the Northwest Territories needs is bigger than any single government or organization. It's critical that we take coordinated interdepartmental approach and work in partnership with Indigenous governments and the Government of Canada, as well as community governments and other stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, Premier's not here today so I would hate to commit her to meeting with Indigenous groups but I will bring it up to her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to call the Guiness Book of Records because I heard too many yes’s today.
Mr. Speaker, in her capacity as the Minister in Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, how has the Premier engaged with First Nations, and the Dene Nation in particular, on the $60 million into housing because what happens is that they're taking that money to deal with their own housing crisis, but they're fixing up public housing. But yet in our communities, we're suffering. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do want to note that the Premier and Cabinet have been meeting in several discussions with people like Council of Leaders, bilateral meetings. So, I mean, we are meeting with the Indigenous groups. I also do want to note, Mr. Speaker, that Housing NWT works as well with Indigenous governments to be able to facilitate conversations about housing priorities and to have conversations about how to support each other because, Mr. Speaker, I think that's very important. You know, as we look at this housing strategy, we as a government as a whole need to start looking at some actions. And I think that breaking down barriers between government departments is probably a first step. That's why we have the first draft of the homeless strategy which will be released to standing committee. And I think standing committee will be very happy to know that and the public during this session because it takes a whole of a government approach, and I can't stress that importance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Deputy Premier, for your responses. Mr. Speaker, clearly the Dene leaders do not feel that any engagement on housing investment has been sufficient based on the resolution passed on December 13th and 15th here in Yellowknife. And has the Premier reviewed this resolution and taken steps to address the issues with her departments? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure what the Premier is up to in terms of conversation with Indigenous groups. She is the Premier and responsible for Executive and Indigenous Affairs so I would hate to step on her toes to say that she has or has not met with any Indigenous groups specifically. However, Mr. Speaker, I do want to note that the Council of Leaders has a working group specifically on homelessness. So I think and housing. So I think that's a really good step in terms of having that collaboration with Indigenous groups, specifically the Council of Leaders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the Minister of Housing NWT has taken steps to review the department internal workings, but I'm speaking to the relationship between the GNWT and First Nations. Will the Premier direct the remaining $30 million to be allocated to First Nation governments and honour her government's obligation to Indigenous people as equal and sovereign government?
Mr. Speaker, as well, you know, when the Premier in her mandate letter had said that they were looking at building new relationships with Indigenous governments and but when they go ahead and make application to CIRNAC without talking to them is concerning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member's speaking specifically to $30 million which is public housing repair. And, again, I just can't sit here and speak on behalf of Premier to commit this $30 million to Indigenous groups. So I just do want to note, though, Mr. Speaker, that we are looking for further discussion with Indigenous groups in the next you know, after we're done session, we've got meetings lined up, bilateral meetings, with a variety of Indigenous groups. So I'm hoping that through that discussion, Mr. Speaker, that we can have more continued collaboration, more continued support, more continued dialogue. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Deputy Premier. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.
