Debates of February 7, 2024 (day 3)

Member’s Statement 33-20(1): Development of the Knowledge Economy

Sheryl Yakeleya

Dehcho

Topics

Member’s Statement 34-20(1): Supports for Northwest Territories Children

Member’s Statement 35-20(1): Economic and Environmental Issues and Opportunities for the Northwest Territories

Member’s Statement 36-20(1): Foreign Security Concerns

Member’s Statement 37-20(1): Gaza

Member’s Statement 38-20(1): Elders’ Housing

Member’s Statement 39-20(1): State of the Northwest Territories Economy

Member’s Statement 40-20(1): Rent Scale

Member’s Statement 41-20(1): Carbon Tax and Energy Alternatives

Member’s Statement 42-20(1): Michael Squirrel – Aboriginal Sports Circle Northwest Territories Aware 2023

Minister’s Statement 3-20(1): 2024-2025 Interim Budget

Minister’s Statement 4-20(1): 2023 Wildfire Season Review and planning for the 2024 Season

Minister’s Statement 5-20(1): Emergency Management Preparation

Motion 10-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment

Motion 10-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, Carried

Motion 11-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Government Operations

Motion 11-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Government Operations, Carried

Motion 12-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges

Motion 12-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges, Carried

Motion 13-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Motion 13-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Carried

Motion 14-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Social Development

Motion 14-20(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Social Development, Carried

Motion 15-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to February 20, 2024

Question 12-20(1): Children’s First Society Funding

Question 13-20(1): Requesting Prime Minister to Stop Selling Arms and Military Goods

Question 14-20(1): Responsibility for Seniors Portfolio

Question 15-20(1): Northwest Territories Economic Deficit

Question 16-20(1): Rent Scales

Question 17-20(1): Elders Housing

Question 18-20(1): Foreign Investment and Security

Question 19-20(1): Carbon Tax Revenues Spent on Climate Change Adaptation

Question 20-20(1): Direct Appointment Transparency

Question 21-20(1): Arrears Collections from Elders

Question 22-20(1): Funding for Childcare

Question 23-20(1): Portfolio Changes

Question 24-20(1): Energy for Housing

Tabled Document 14-20(1): Annual Report 2022-23 Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation

Statements

Question 17-20(1): Elders Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one day this is going to be all of us in here, okay? So right now the Housing NWT repair programs require seniors to contribute 10 percent of repair costs if they earn $59,000 or more. Would the Minister commit to reviewing the income threshold for the repair program? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Minister of housing NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm afraid I didn't understand the question for Housing NWT, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Housing NWT. Member from Monfwi, can you rephrase your question, please.

What I said is right now what the housing is doing is that Housing NWT repairs program requires seniors to contribute 10 percent of repair costs, which is $1,000, if they are making $59,000 or more. So what I'm telling the Minister is that would the Minister commit to reviewing the income threshold for the repair program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, great news. In 2023, the copayment requirement for up to a thousand dollars was removed in the emergency repair program and the fuel tank replacement program. And the budget for that program was also increased to $15,000. So that's good news. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And well that is good news to hear. That's what the previous Ministers have said. And I still recently, I forward her a letter letters from my constituents, the elders, who are in that situation where they have to pay $1,000, which many of them are saying that they cannot afford, the 10 percent required for repair program, and I just recently send her some. And there are deadline attached to those. So can the Minister allow the 10 percent equity in the seniors repair program to be paid in installment by clients, because it is still in place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What we can do is we can refer this back to Housing NWT and get the information to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. It's good that, you know, for them to review that. Okay, can the Minister commit to transferring North Slave housing office from Yellowknife that specifically deals with Tlicho communities to provide better services to people, especially the elders who are faced with many challenges. And I've said this many times. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd have to get back to the Member about the transfer and look into the information before I can commit to anything. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister for Housing NWT. Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.

This is in reference to the income threshold. So it's still it's referenced to income threshold. So will the Minister adjust the income threshold for seniors support program based on higher cost of living for elders in small and remote communities? Thank you.