Michael Nadli

No further questions, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, too, wanted to make some general comments in support of the initiatives and the efforts that have been made by my colleagues and the committee in leading the work with the department, as well, and all the staff that contributed to this and all the public who spoke out locally in terms of at least laying out the framework of how we deal with mental health issues across the North.

A question that I wanted to ask the Minister and, of course, being from a small community, sometimes you experience people who pose a danger to themselves or others because of their...

One of the dilemmas that we have is that when it comes to providing housing to homeless people, usually a person that’s a bachelor that doesn’t have any children is perhaps 60 years old. Another person who likely has children equally gets the priority and in some instances in communities we have people that are basically fending for themselves and couch surfing.

How can the department assist those people in finding housing or shelter, especially those who are falling between the cracks and sometimes are basically left homeless? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just following up on my Member’s statement on homelessness in the NWT communities, my questions are for the Minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Shelter is a critical need in the hierarchy of needs of people for them to lead productive lives. At the community level we are confronted with some realities. One of them, of course, is homelessness, and in some communities there are program initiatives to provide lunch and trying to help out people as best as we can.

So the question I have is: Is there any funding under the Northwest Territories Housing...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Since 2012 over 100 countries around the world have recognized this coming Saturday, October 10th, as a World Homeless Day. This is to draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness.

In recognition of World Homeless Day, I want to take a moment to voice my concerns about the impact of homelessness in small communities, like those in my Deh Cho riding.

Homelessness is one of the most chronic and damaging social problems in the NWT. Adequate housing provides a foundation for physical...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the exciting partnership that is benefitting the people of the Deh Cho. Aboriginal language revitalization is an award-winning and accessible four-year certificate program taught out of the University of Victoria but based here in the NWT. It pairs fluent speakers with adult students interested in learning Dene Zhatie, also known as South Slavey. I wanted to take the opportunity to briefly say something in my language as well.

[English translation not provided.]

This program is innovative because, unlike a traditional classroom setting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a very disappointing lack of commitment and a lack of a very substantive answer to an everyday problem that we experience in small communities.

I don’t know; what is the role of the department, then, and the Minister, the role of this government in addressing persons with disabilities that require services at the local level? What role is this Minister going to play and what role is this government going to play in addressing services that could be directed towards meeting the needs of disabled people?

I was expecting an answer like that. Has the Department of Health and Social Services discussed this matter with other departments if there’s no funding, like MACA or with the Town of Hay River, to look for a partnership solution to these problems? We need an answer today. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Jeanna Graham from the K’atlodeeche First Nation. Jeanna is an elder who was recognized in the Minister’s culture awards. At the same time, Jeanna serves on the band council, as well, on the K’atlodeeche First Nation. As well, to all the recipients of the Minister’s culture awards, I’d like to extend congratulations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the mover, Mr. Bromley, for bringing this forward, and colleagues for speaking on it at this point.

I think the motion itself speaks to the most vulnerable in society who need help, people with disabilities. I can safely say that there a few of my relatives who are disabled and it’s disheartening to see them struggle, especially at the community level when the programs and services are very limited at the same time and when services like handivan services are basically stopped for one community because another community can’t afford to maintain those...