Caroline Cochrane

November 2016.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The selection for the seniors' facility was done in June 2013. We met the Fort McPherson Hamlet Council during their meeting to discuss the building and the location. In July 2013, we met with the Gwich'in Tribal Council and provided information on the building. In September 2013, we had a community consultation in the community. The location of the building was discussed at that point as well. December 2013 was the only time that we had an issue brought forward that talked about the location and we were asked if we could move it to the river. At that time, we looked at...

Absolutely. Yes, there have been discussions on aging in place. The GNWT is really supportive of our seniors and supportive of them living within their communities and within their homes and families as long as possible. That is a priority for us. We have talked many times about the incidence of seniors increasing, and so we will be developing a plan to be able to support aging in place as long as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge Courteney Lizotte. Ms. Lizotte has been with the Range Lake North School for the past five years and has been the principal for the last two years. Earlier this year she was nominated by the PAC president of Range Lake North and has been recognized by The Learning Partnership as one of Canada's 40 Outstanding Principals this year. She's the only educator to be recognized for this acknowledgement from the NWT in 2016. She'll collect her award alongside other recipients in Toronto on February 23, 2016. We're grateful to have Ms. Lizotte...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to recognize Buffalo Airways, a business within the Range Lake constituency. This long-standing business has been a staple within our community for over 40 years. With the premiere of Ice Pilots Northwest Territories in 2009, we received international attention from this highly popular television show, located here in the North.

I would like to congratulate Buffalo Airways on six successful seasons and for the various nominations and awards won with this television series. Throughout the duration of the show, Ice Pilots was nominated four...

As most Members know, I'm assuming, is that homelessness is not just one department. Housing is not the only department. The whole GNWT has different aspects of homelessness, so at the current time the GNWT is looking internally. We'll be working with the departments and with the Standing Committee on Social Development, which I met with the chair yesterday and asked to get a meeting immediately, as soon as your committee is formed, so that we can all work together in addressing homelessness and looking at what the wraparound services would look like.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I do look at Housing First as a viable model for addressing homelessness. However, it is one model and one area. Even with Housing First, there will still be other avenues that we need to seek to alleviate homelessness altogether.

The Housing Corporation will conduct a review of the need for single housing in our rural and remote communities, including the communities of Nunakput. The information will be used towards the development of a capital plan that could be implemented providing the resources are available.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Homelessness is a challenge throughout the Northwest Territories and it's not being addressed by just the Housing Corporation. It's being addressed by the GNWT as a whole. Like I had spoken earlier, the ministers will be meeting soon. I will be meeting with the Standing Committee on Social Development, I believe that's right. There are options that currently are in effect, the people can access the Homeless Assistance Fund to pay arrears, if that's the case. We provide shelter enhancement funding that is accessible to any community. Right now, within Nunakput...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Housing Corporation is actually looking at bringing in a lot more houses within the communities. We're really focusing on single people and couples for a little while because almost 70 per cent of the people on our waiting list fall within that category. We're also negotiating with the federal government, so I'll be meeting with them early next month to see what they're going to bring within their social infrastructure monies. As well, we are guided by the Business Incentive Policy, which all Members can actually challenge and actually look at and make amendments if...