Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in March I made a statement about homelessness, where I highlighted a tiny homes pilot project which Salt River First Nation is trying to get underway with the help of additional funding. At the time, the housing minister would not commit to allocate any funds to this project because it is a project solely for members of the Salt River First Nation.
Well, Mr. Speaker, that is a narrow view of looking at the situation. I like to look at things in a broader context to see the bigger picture.
This tiny home project is an innovative solution in addressing the issues of homelessness within Fort Smith. Sure, the funding would go directly to the Salt River First Nation, but the benefits of the project would help the whole town when all is said and done. Besides, allocating funds to help Salt River with housing is not a new concept.
Premier Cochrane spoke in March about her time as housing minister in the 18th Assembly where she worked with Salt River to allocate funds to build homes on reserve for the members of the Salt River First Nation.
Mr. Speaker, how is that situation in the last Assembly any different from the situation we are in now?
I would encourage our current housing minister to approach this housing project in a similar way with an open heart and open mind as her predecessor did. After all, how is the Salt River First Nation tiny home pilot project any different from any other housing projects that the Minister listed off last Thursday, May 26th during question period?
In an exchange with the Member of Great Slave, the Minister mentioned various new housing project applications around the NWT, which includes:
the Family Support Centre for $3.7 million and 14 units;
Habitat for Humanity with 10 units;
Avens Society with 102 units expansion;
Borealis CoOp with 50 units in affordable housing;
Spruce Bough receiving $640,000;
the Nahanni Butte Dene Band with 10 new units;
YWCA with 21 units;
NWT Community Services for a project valued at $6 million; and,
the Deline Got'ine Government with 10 new units.
The people of Salt River are residents of the NWT as well so they deserve equal consideration for territorial funding to help address homelessness just as any other community, region, organization within the NWT. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, the finance minister told me that officials with Housing NWT would meet with Salt River Nation in April to discuss details about their Tiny Home Pilot Project. However, I spoke to Chief Poitras recently, and he confirmed they did not meet in person with Housing NWT to discuss the project so I can only assume discussions took place virtually via Zoom.
As the MLA for Thebacha, I will continue to work with Cabinet to ensure Salt River First Nation is properly assisted in their application to the National Housing CoInvestment Fund for their Tiny Home Pilot Project. I hope to see Cabinet working closely with Salt River First Nation to help them apply for and successfully receive the funding they require for this innovative homelessness project.
I will have questions for the Minister of Finance at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
