Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke on the housing situation on the Hay River Reserve. If I could perhaps sum it up, before I get to my question: The issue is criteria for program and homeownership eligibility, at the same time in terms of homes and how lands are disposed to make them available for members. There is urgency to resolve this matter between the government and the First Nation. The reserve has been established since 1974. KFN is one of the outstanding land claim agreements or groups that we need to try to establish a relationship and settle a final agreement. Therefore, I have some questions for the Premier. Because this issue crosses jurisdiction, I ask the Premier: Am I correct in understanding that the responsibility for land administration on the Hay River Reserve did not transfer to the GNWT under devolution? Mahsi.
Masi. Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm very pleased to report that the K'atl'odeeche First Nation and the NWT Housing Corporation are working together to resolve the long-standing land tenure matters on the Hay River Reserve that have impacted the ability of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to deliver its programs on the reserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Premier for responding to give me encouragement that this matter is being worked on. I understand through the Devolution Agreement, groups that have signed on have an opportunity to arrange a bilateral agreement. I'm optimistic that an agreement like that would be advanced and that a workable relationship would be worked out. My second question is: what is the nature of the arrangement between Canada and the GNWT, which gave the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation responsibility for providing housing on the reserve, for basically providing housing on non-reserve communities?
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada is working with the K’atl'odeeche First Nation and the NWT Housing Corporation to draw up the federal land leases that require the approval of their federal minister. In order for the NWT Housing Corporation to provide home ownership programs and public housing, land tenure must be in place. Once the designation process is concluded and federal leases are provided to the NWT Housing Corporation, up to 16 units will become available for NWT Housing Corporation programming, with 10 units going to public housing and the remaining six being used for other housing programming.
It's very promising that you know there are some steps being taken, and I commend the Premier for leading the charge with the Cabinet in terms of working with the K'atl'odeeche First Nation. I'm seeking at least some encouragement that things are being done on behalf of constituents. The Premier indicated and stated that there was work being done with the Department of INAC and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to designate some of the units to make them available for constituents. At what point would the question of land tenure be resolved and those homes been made available to constituents?
On June 25, 2013, the K'atl'odeeche First Nation approved the designation of six lots by majority vote, allowing Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to issue 50-year federal Crown leases over the lots. Also, the NWT Housing Corporation has a loan guarantee for 10 lots for $900,000 with Peace Hills Trust to support previous years' construction of 10 KFN-owned housing units. Upon request of the K’atlodeeche First Nation, the NWT Housing Corporation has agreed to pay out the loan guarantees to Peace Hills Trust in return for ownership and land tenure over the 10 units.
On September 10, 2010, the Minister and the NWT Housing Corporation met with K'atl'odeeche First Nations, where they agreed a reserve plan could be designated in favour of federal Crown leases. The KFN was familiar with the practice as they had previously financed commercial developments on the Hay River Reserve through their principal banker Peace Hills Trust. This will allow the NWT Housing Corporation to obtain leases that would secure its investment of housing. Several steps needed to be completed before the lots could be put on a designation vote, such as surveying of the lots, completion of an environmental assessment, and the initiation of the formal designation process by the KFN. On June 25, 2013, KFN approved a designation allowing Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to issue their federal leases.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I'd like to thank the Premier for replying to the question. It seems like we're kind of reflecting upon some historical steps that have been taken and it's encouraging to see the progress in terms of the work between the government and the First Nations group, but the fact of the matter is that in my statement I've stated, that there are some empty units that are sitting basically boarded-up and they're not accessible to constituents on the reserve, so there's a level of frustration. How can we make those houses available to constituents now, and what is the government's position on the future disposition of these units? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that now we've all reached a clear understanding of who is responsible for what, and the fact that K'atl'odeeche First Nation have signed on to devolution. We've had some very good discussions with K'atl'odeeche First Nation, and I think we can work together to resolve the outstanding issue of the vacant housing that the Member refers to. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
