Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this weekend people around the world will gather to celebrate International Women's Day. Today, I recognize and honour the women across the Northwest Territories and special acknowledgment to the Tlicho women and girls in my region.

Women are at the heart of our communities as mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, and cousins. They help shape the lives of those around them and carry forward the knowledge and traditions that connect our people.

Mr. Speaker, mothers in particular, carry a tremendous responsibility. They care for their families...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge and recognize all the interpreters here, Jonas and Maro Rose Sundberg as well, for their hard work in keeping our language alive. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories ensures that statistics on prosecution for trespassing are routinely included as part of general reporting on offenses and convictions in the Northwest Territories once the Trespass to Property Act has come into force to provide insight on the effectiveness of the legislation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories issue clear guidance and instructions to schools across the Northwest Territories on how to use and apply the Trespass to Property Act to their settings, including providing additional funds for producing prohibitions of entry signage as needed. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Bill 34, Trespass to Property Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on October 31st, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.

In January 2026, committee held public hearings on the bill in Yellowknife and Hay River and met with the Hay River Healthy Community Committee. Committee also received four written submissions. I would like to thank all the stakeholders and members of the public who participated in committee's review and provided us with valuable feedback on Bill 34.

On February 25th...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in this Assembly we often speak about promoting self-sufficiency, strengthening our communities, and expanding opportunities for homeownership across the Northwest Territories. This motion presents a practical way to advance those goals. Across our territory, Housing NWT manages a portfolio of market rental units. Many of these homes are occupied by tenants who have demonstrated long-term stability and responsibility. They have built their lives in these units and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Where tenants have demonstrated that stability...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do support this motion. You know, when we're traveling -- this is what our elders always say. When we are traveling, when we travel or go south or wherever we're going, you know, they always say, pray to have a good, safe travel, you know, that we're all going to come home safely. And that's the advice that elders, they always give us and they give it to the young people. And, you know, when we're traveling, nobody wants to get sick. So this is where medical travel denies people who are already on the road trip. And it's beyond our control. So that even...

I want to say thank you to, like to all the colleagues here, to Dehcho for seconding the motions and to all my colleagues here, the Regular MLAs for speaking in favour of the motion. You know, this motion is really important for many of our elder senior citizens living on fixed incomes. The struggles are real especially in small remote communities, so I know in many of the small communities where elders are paying rent from $75 to $400. That's in my region. But what about the communities further up North? Maybe they're paying more than that but I'm not sure. But so this will really help and...

I have two motions, Mr. Speaker, waiving of rent for elders in public housing unit, Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS elders aged 65 and over living in public housing in the Northwest Territories often face financial hardship due to fixed incomes and rising costs of living;

AND WHEREAS the limited affordable housing options in the Northwest Territories disproportionately affect elders in smaller and remote communities;

AND WHEREAS elders contribute significantly to the cultural, social, and community fabric of the Northwest Territories and deserve dignity and security in their housing;

AND WHEREAS elders play...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within the 120 days.

Thank you, Madam Chair.