Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you to everybody here, those who spoke and those who did not, you know, speak in favour of the motion but still I know deep down in their heart that they do feel the same way as we do. You know, at the moment, public housing units -- Housing NWT are transferring public housing units to tenants who have lived in those units for many years, where they raised their family and for over 20 years. But it's not the same for market rental unit, so that's why I am pushing for the market rental units to be treated the same as a public housing unit...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, transfer Housing Northwest Territories market rental units to tenants.

WHEREAS Housing Northwest Territories operates a portfolio of market rental units across the territory;

AND WHEREAS many of these units are currently occupied by tenants who have demonstrated stable residency, consistent payment history, and strong community ties;

AND WHEREAS enabling current tenants to assume ownership of the units they occupy can support housing stability, increase homeownership rates, and reduce long-term operational and maintenance costs for Housing Northwest...

Mr. Speaker, I ask for a recorded vote.

I want to say thank you to my colleague from Dehcho.

Mr. Speaker, across the Northwest Territories, many elders who reside in public housing are facing increasing financial hardship. With fixed incomes and continuously rising cost of living, even modest increases in expenses can push elders into difficult choices between essentials like food, heat, medication, and housing.

Mr. Speaker, these challenges are felt most acutely in our smaller and remote communities where affordable housing options are limited and the cost of living is even higher. For many elders, public housing is not just a place...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I know that -- we know we are not going to get everything that we want or we negotiated, knowing we are in deficit, but -- but working together, we can still get stuff that we asked for. I know that I am not going to get the water truck, sewer truck, for essential services in Tlicho region, but especially for the small communities, the small fly-in communities. But, you know, at this time, it's not the end, just like my colleagues said. It's an ongoing thing that we have to keep working on. I would like to see that because they provide -- you know...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, this is important for NWT and the people. And like my colleague from Dehcho said, water is life, and we have heard many times from our elders, they said water is our father and it is important for our survival. So I will support this motion. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories create and publicize clear policy guidance for the general public, private security companies, and Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories on how the Trespass to Property Act can be used. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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...