Debates of May 23, 2024 (day 14)

May
23
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
14
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Member’s Statement 155-20(1): Supporting Families with Disabilities
Member’s Statement 156-20(1): Liquor Tax
Member’s Statement 157-20(1): Mackenzie River Water Levels
Member’s Statement 158-20(1): Residents Affected by Enterprise Wildfire
Member’s Statement 159-20(1): Inadequate Housing in Mackenzie Delta
Member’s Statement 160-20(1): Health Care Workers
Member’s Statement 161-20(1): Aurora College
Member’s Statement 162-20(1): Hamlet of Fort Resolution Fire Plan
Member’s Statement 163-20(1): Carbon Tax
Member’s Statement 164-20(1): Education
Member’s Statement 165-20(1): Supports for Senior Citizens
Member’s Statement 166-20(1): Eulogy for Roy Joseph Mouse
Minister’s Statement 32-20(1): Mandate of the 20th Legislative Assembly
Minister’s Statement 33-20(1): Notice of Budget Address
Motion 26-20(1): Appointment of Ombud
Motion 26-20(1): Appointment of Ombud, Carried
Motion 27-20(1): Referral of Tabled Document 67-20(1): Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2023 to 2027, to Committee of the Whole
Oral Question 154-20(1): Status of Aurora College Transformation to Polytechnic University
Oral Question 155-20(1): Liquor Tax Regime
Oral Question 156-20(1): Carbon Tax
Oral Question 157-20(1): Affordability of Seniors Housing
Oral Question 158-20(1): Collaboration with Indigenous Governments on Mackenzie Delta Home Renovations
Oral Question 159-20(1): Adult Literacy in the Northwest Territories
Oral Question 160-20(1): Notices of Assessment Collection for Income Assistance Clients
Oral Question 161-20(1): Fuel Resupply for Northern Communities
Oral Question 162-20(1): Nurse to Patient Ratios
Oral Question 163-20(1): Supports Available for Residents of Enterprise
Oral Question 164-20(1): Supports Available for Hamlet of Fort Resolution
Return to Oral Question 62-20(1): Consultation with Members of the Legislative Assembly on Policies and Strategies
Return to Written Question 2-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Public Sector Positions
Return to Written Question 3-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Policy
Return to Written Question 4-20(1): Private Agency Nurses
Return to Written Question 5-20(1): Municpal Funding Gap
Tabled Document 71-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 152-20(1): Public Safety
Tabled Document 77-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 133-20(1): Policy on Indigenous Hiring
Tabled Document 85-20(1): Additional Information for Return to Written Question 4-20(1)
Tabled Document 86-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 12-20(1): Children’s First Society Funding
Tabled Document 88-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 105-20(1) and Oral Question 112-20(1): Municipal Funding Gap
Tabled Document 91-20(1): Speaking Up for Fairness – 2023/24 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Ombud
Statements

Member’s Statement 159-20(1): Inadequate Housing in Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to bring forth the concern of inadequate housing in the Northwest Territories; in particular, the Mackenzie Delta.

As we are all aware, housing is deemed a human right. It is clear that this government, or any government, cannot build enough houses to meet our needs. But with the collaboration of the Indigenous governments and the network within our communities, we can renovate the vacant units in our communities to house some of our residents.

Mr. Speaker, in the community of Fort McPherson alone, there is a waitlist of up to three years. If we work collaboratively with the network of organizations in Fort McPherson, Aklavik, and Tsiigehtchic, we may be able to get some of our residents into their homes, own homes with their families. At the present time, we have some of the most vulnerable residents who are couch surfing just to have a roof over their heads for the night.

Mr. Speaker, with the warm weather, these unfortunate people are somewhat lucky. But in the colder months, these unfortunates are left out in the cold.

In the community of Aklavik, they have a program where the local Indigenous governments provide housing for the homeless. The recipients of these programs are able to stay in the units until they can secure permanent homes for themselves. It would be very beneficial if this program would be made available to the other communities of Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Fort McPherson is renovating some of these vacant units so that they can assist their residents in having a home for their families. The local housing authority, the Tetlit Gwich'in Council, and Tetlit Zheh Development Corporation are networking to renovate these units, but they can only do so much with the limited financial resources they have at their disposal. It is evident that they have the network of trades people to do the work, but they require the financial resources to continue this venture to accommodate their residents in living in a place they can call home.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.