Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise on a timeline for this plan to roll out and when we can expect to see the results and evaluate our success? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for her answer. Of course as the Minister knows, the point in time survey undertaken by the City of Yellowknife showed that on a per capita basis we have a significant problem in this community as large the City of Toronto, so I think it's safe to say much of what we see is in fact part of this issue. We've heard of these two working groups and the recommendations, but we have yet to know how that's going to take shape. How will these working groups… Or recommendations… How many chronic homeless persons will be housed as a result of these recommendations?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize one of my constituents, Deneze Nakehk’o, who is living out in Kam Lake now after relocating from Fort Simpson. I'd also like to recognize all of the folks here from Dechinta for the great work they do and the journey they've taken. Thank you, Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The federal government, when they rolled this out as an election promise, they could say the maximum this benefit is worth, I think it's around $530, something like that. Can the department provide that level of detail today, what the maximum benefit will be to families in a dollar amount? I respect that there's a lot of legislative work that needs to be done, but can we get a sense of what the new benefit will be worth to northern families? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Does the department have an idea of what the new NWT Child Benefit will look like in terms of the benefits to northern residents? Like, will it be enriched? If we get an idea of what Northerners will be getting out of this to help with their cost of living and parental needs? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Previously, the department indicated it was doing work on the NWT Child Benefit to bring it in line with the new Canada Child Benefit. If the Minister could update us on the work to date? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The remaining funding for supports and other performers that is there, if it is easier to access than the other funding, why is it staying as its own program? Just wondering why. If there are more efficiencies, we would be fine with putting everything in a single-use fund such as the SEED funding and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, which is a very large pot of money that is easy to access. If that is a more efficient approach, should we not just be doing that with all these little funding pots instead of leaving some the same and eliminating other pots...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that there is a reduction for supports and other performers by just under $100,000. Can the Minister indicate if that has been rolled into this new arts organizations operating funding, or if it is a straightforward reduction? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Those are interesting numbers. Again, my question was focused on chronic homeless people, which Housing First is designed to address. How much is this plan going to cost? Let's talk about chronic homelessness, not those in need of shelter, but chronic homeless people use 51 per cent of our emergency services and are a huge cost to the taxpayer. How much are we contributing and paying to make sure this plan works and that we can get that number higher than one?

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the misfortune to encounter two severely intoxicated homeless people engaged in a vicious brawl here on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly, no less. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common sight here on the streets of Yellowknife and Yellowknifers have had enough. I'd like to ask the Minister responsible for Homelessness, what is the plan to address the severe need to do something about the homelessness problem here in Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.