Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise in support of this motion because in my constituency of Deh Cho, there are disabled persons who are affected by autism, spina bifida, brain injuries. It's rather unfortunate that the citizens sometimes are ostracised and pushed to the outer periphery of society. But here in the NWT we pride ourselves on having a good healthcare system.

In Canada, we have almost a universal healthcare system that guarantees that each of us will be cared for in a very dignified manner by health professionals when we need help. Unfortunately, the reality is that here in the NWT...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided]

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games are an amazing opportunity and unique privilege for northern youth. I especially want to recognize the participants from my riding who are competing in the following sports: Adam Nadli, Dene games; Mikaela Vandell, table tennis; Christina Bonnetrouge, badminton; Lois Philip, principal, who is attending as mission staff; Brandon Thom, NWT Youth Ambassador; coaches Jeremy Kielstra and Thorston Gohl. I understand at 2:30 today, at the Deh Gah School, I will be attending a send-off rally for the athletes. It...

I'd like to thank the honourable Premier for his reply. It's very encouraging actually seeing progress being made, but in his reply, I got lost somewhere in terms of the land leases. Such is the system that we have, where sometimes, simple matters get lost in the bureaucracy. What we are seeing now is an effort by this government to try to decentralize some of the decision-making in these communities, and so in this particular case, negotiations could be fast-tracked, that these houses become available as soon as possible to make them available to constituents. We have done it. We have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's rare that I have visitors from my constituency, but I take great pride in recognizing two individuals that I recognize. I think he's still here, Sam Gargan, former Speaker, former MLA, and former chief, and currently the mayor of the Hamlet of Fort Providence, and also Michael McLeod, the MP for the Western Arctic, a former Minister, and a former MLA as well. Welcome to the House. Mahsi.

The simple question amounts to: When can the people of the K’atl’odeeche First Nation expect to see these houses become occupied by band members?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the K’atl’odeeche First Nation is one of several groups that have outstanding lands and governance matters that have yet to be resolved, so my questions are to the Premier again, because of the matter of housing on the Hay River Reserve. Fourteen years ago, there were a couple of housing units that were built, and unfortunately, nothing's been done to try to house them. We have housing concerns throughout the communities. My question is to the Premier. What has the GNWT done in the past and what is it doing now to address the issue of vacant housing on the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.] We have the will to resolve this problem. We have a new 18th Legislative Assembly, one which appears committed to making positive changes. Today I am asking the GNWT to demonstrate the political will needed to get people into these vacant houses without further delay. If the problem lies with the eligibility criteria for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Home Ownership Program, then change the criteria. The program should meet the needs of the people living on the Hay River Reserve not the other way around. If this won't...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I'd like to thank the Premier for replying to the question. It seems like we're kind of reflecting upon some historical steps that have been taken and it's encouraging to see the progress in terms of the work between the government and the First Nations group, but the fact of the matter is that in my statement I've stated, that there are some empty units that are sitting basically boarded-up and they're not accessible to constituents on the reserve, so there's a level of frustration. How can we make those houses available to constituents now, and what is the...

I thank the Premier for responding to give me encouragement that this matter is being worked on. I understand through the Devolution Agreement, groups that have signed on have an opportunity to arrange a bilateral agreement. I'm optimistic that an agreement like that would be advanced and that a workable relationship would be worked out. My second question is: what is the nature of the arrangement between Canada and the GNWT, which gave the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation responsibility for providing housing on the reserve, for basically providing housing on non-reserve communities?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Representatives from Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada who did attend committed to work with the KFN to resolve the problem. They said the problem could be fixed within six months by undertaking the process to designate the lands for leasing which would require ratification by the band council. Mr. Speaker, that was four years ago.

Now that I have spoken about the problems with these vacant units on the Hay River Reserve in my next Member's statement I will turn my attention to possible solutions. In the meantime, because this issue involves not only Housing but...