Debates of February 23, 2022 (day 95)

Date
February
23
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
95
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong
Statements

Member’s Statement 925-19(2): Mental Health

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Day 1 of 20 on budget from Nunakput, Madam Speaker.

Today I'd like to see the spending in the Nunakput riding. Our housing supports, our mental wellness is the biggest need in my riding for my constituents right now. I have 13 percent of our homes that are overcrowded, 28 percent of our homes are needed major retrofits and repair, 25 percent of our homes are in core need.

As I stated yesterday, Madam Speaker, the Beaufort Delta, we face serious mental health challenges among our people and the most severe high rates of suicide. Madam Speaker, what do we do with what do our youth have to look forward to with nowhere to live and no little hope? Our families are small young families with small children are over staying with family members, overcrowded, overcrowding. It's really serious, and we need to fix this problem. The GNWT is going to spend money to address these problems in my riding, when? For 20222023, the Nunakput riding represents less than 5 percent of the total capital budget. Last year, five housing units in my riding for renovated, and this year retrofits are 17 housing units are planned. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, this does not meet the needs of our communities in Nunakput. I hear from my constituents that are waiting on the housing list for years to get a house, into a unit. We all need to know that it starts with housing. If you don't have a place to live and a safe place for your family, you have nowhere to go, and you're relying on others and putting pressure on family, and you're drawing lines in the sand, and it's really tough.

Housing, we have to work together, Madam Speaker. We have to have I know it's a big challenge, but I think our minister and our government is up to it, that if we work together we could get stuff good things happening with housing across our territory and especially in Nunakput. I will have questions for the minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Speaker: MADAM SPEAKER

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.