Debates of February 6, 2024 (day 2)

February
6
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
2
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakelaya.
Assembly Members
Topics
Member’s Statement 19-20(1): Condolences to Fort Smith
Member’s Statement 20-20(1): Condolences to Fort Smith
Member’s Statement 21-20(1): Challenges for 20th Assembly
Member’s Statement 22-20(1): Addictions
Member’s Statement 23-20(1): Condolences to Fort Smith
Member’s Statement 24-20(1): Funding for Non-Governmental Organizations
Member’s Statement 25-20(1): Regional Director Position in Inuvik
Member’s Statement 26-20(1): Response to Housing NWT Motion on March 8, 2022
Member’s Statement 27-20(1): Evacuation and Impact on Unhoused Population
Member’s Statement 28-20(1): Lack of Family Doctors in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 29-20(1): Fort Smith Tragedy
Member’s Statement 30-20(1): Hay River Community Spirt Awards
Member’s Statement 31-20(1): Kole Crook Fiddle Association Annual Fiddle Jamboree
Minister’s Statement 1-20(1): Sessional Statement
Minister’s Statement 2-20(1): Minister Absent from the House
Motion 7-20(1): Amend Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Standing Committee
Motion 7-20(1): Amend Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Standing Committee, Carried
Motion 8-20(1): Appointment of the Deputy Speaker
Motion 8-20(1): Appointment of the Deputy Speaker, Carried
Motion 9-20(1): Establishing a Public Inquiry into the 2023 Wildfires
Question 1-20(1): Ministerial Mandate Statements
Question 10-20(1): Evacuation Travel Support Program
Question 11-20(1): Home Heating Subsidy for Elders
Question 2-20(1): Carbon Pricing and Home Heating
Question 3-20(1): Implementation of the Recommendations of Strengthening Support for Non Profit Sector
Question 4-20(1): Regional Director Position
Question 5-20(1): Income Assistance Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
Question 6-20(1): Addictions Facilities
Question 7-20(1): Exposure of Vulnerable Population to Risk in 2023 Evacuations
Question 8-20(1): Evacuation Travel Support Program Payments
Question 9-20(1): Home Heating Rebates
Tabled Document 11-20(1): Northwest Territories Ombud Special Report on Recommendations for Amendments to the Ombud Act
Tabled Document 12-20(1): 2022-2023 Public Accounts, Sections i, ii, iii, and IV
Tabled Document 5-20(1): Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Standing Committee Terms of Reference
Tabled Document 6-20(1): Open Letter from Yellowknife Women’s Society Board of Directors following the Yellowknife Evacuation Experience
Statements

Member’s Statement 26-20(1): Response to Housing NWT Motion on March 8, 2022

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Housing NWT's 2015 collection policy posted on their website states garnishment is used for collections. This contradicts their response. If Housing NWT believes garnishment is outside their legislated authority, why is it included in their policy? Is this instead in reference specifically to garnishing pensions? What exactly is Housing NWT garnishing for retired elders with arrears?

The government ends their response with Housing NWT will continue to regularly review all arrears accounts and make every effort to assist our mortgage clients and tenants in addressing their arrears, including the possible introduction of new programs early in the new Assembly that will help to expedite the repayment of these remaining debts of pursue forgiveness. Mr. Speaker, let’s seize this opportunity. The Housing Minister needs to consider new policies. Now is the time to conduct a full review of Housing NWT’s debt collection practices. For our collective prosperity, we must avoid unnecessary and unjust burdens on our people.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.