Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Well, you know, the disability fund, 229, it says funding to support organization that provide increase independence and reduce barriers for residents living with disabilities within the NWT.

I know at one time we -- like, in Tlicho region, we don't have any programs. I know it's probably associated with another department. But at one time, we had -- well, I will just use an example, like, friendship centre. They had a program for people with disabilities and, you know, a program where they went every day, went to school, and from what I heard from people there before and after is that they...

So we are on page 208 and 209? Okay, I have a question for page 204, grants and contribution and transfers. But go to page 209.

Okay, disabilities and respite and seniors fund, the contribution for that -- those programs. You know, it's low, and it looks like it's been low for many years, and I -- there's no increase. I just wanted to ask the Minister why, why the budget remain the same when I believe this supports all the regions. Is that -- this fund goes -- this program is -- are being distributed to other small communities as well?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the homeownership initiative program, the policy, not the repair program.

With that in mind, what steps will the Minister take to ensure that eligibility decisions for the homeownership initiative align with the written policy, and will previously denied applicants and/or applications be reviewed if they were screened using criteria not specified in the program policy? Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Housing.

Mr. Speaker, I have constituents -- and it's not only in my region. It's in other regions as well -- that have recently been denied eligibility for the homeownership initiative program on the basis that they exceeded the core need income threshold. Why have these applicants been deemed ineligible for exceeding this threshold when the homeownership initiative policy makes no reference to this requirement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware in all the NWT but the auditor general's report did mention Tlicho region with the highest need. We're in housing crisis. I am going based on the report that's before us.

So with that in mind, Mr. Speaker, the homeownership program is intended to help residents achieve stability yet many homes are in poor conditions and require costly repairs that low income families cannot afford. What changes will the Minister make to ensure this program supports success instead of setting people up for failure. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report on housing in the Northwest Territories confirms what our communities have been saying for years, the system is broken. In the Tlicho region, this crisis is severe. Overcrowding is rampant and it is not just uncomfortable; it is harming our children's education and increasing the number of children in care. It also contributes to illness, mental health challenges, family violence, and wear and tear on homes creating unsafe conditions and costly emergency repair. These pressures ripple through the community, increasing...

Thank you. Okay, there's a decrease for the upcoming fiscal year to Aging with Dignity Funding Agreement. It was down in 2025-2026 and then with the revised estimate, and then now with a -- in the main estimate, it's down a bit to 3.6. Aging with Dignity Funding Agreement, that's very important, especially for people living in small communities in long-term care, etcetera. So if the Minister can explain, is that -- is it due to that -- because of the federal announcement?

Are we still on revenue summary? When we receive money, it's good, you know. But I see here in the budget there are some -- I don't know if it's sunsetted because it didn't say, you know, agreement to work with -- I see there's quite a few agreements -- agreement was signed with other -- with Canada. So agreement to work together to improve health care for Canadians, there's nothing in the budget for upcoming fiscal year. There's quite a few of those too. Even with First Nation and Inuit Community Care Agreement, there's nothing allocated. So I just wanted to ask the Minister if the Minister...

Well, it's good the program is being reviewed, the policy is being reviewed, because it's the policy. I like the program. I understand about all the program that's available to help homeownership or to have more homeownership.

Given that the homeownership initiative policy is a policy that does not identify the core need income threshold as an eligibility requirement, what internal direction or guidance led to its use in assessing applicant eligibility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report shows that housing issues have persisted for over a decade with little progress. How will the Minister ensure accountability and deliver a clear, measurable plan to address overcrowding, improve housing quality, and prevent this crisis from continuing for another generation. Thank you.