Jane Weyallon Armstrong

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for housing. Mr. Speaker, GNWT received various auditor general's reports, education, social program, and housing all gave a failing grade. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, Tlicho region is in housing crisis with severe overcrowding in Tlicho communities. What immediate steps is the Minister of Housing NWT taking to build new houses in the Tlicho region rather than relocating families to Yellowknife. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many elders are being denied the subsidy despite being just over the income threshold, yet they still struggle to afford heating their homes. Will the Minister consider creating a hardship provision or flexible reassessment process for seniors who narrowly exceed the threshold but clearly face heating insecurity? Thank you.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, seniors on fixed incomes in our small communities are telling me that the current income threshold for the seniors' home heating subsidies and other program as well is simply too low to reflect the real cost of living. Will the Minister commit to reviewing the income threshold to ensure it better aligns with the true heating costs faced by seniors in smaller communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this is questions for -- regarding heating subsidy program for seniors.

So many of our senior citizens living in small communities do not have the luxury of relocating or moving south of the border where cost of living is less. Will the Minister commit to lifting income thresholds for programs such as heating subsidy for senior citizens over 65 years of age in the NWT? Mr. Speaker, I'll tell you in small communities, you will not find senior citizens living on $200,000 a year pension. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the cost of heating fuel, electricity, and home maintenance continues to climb faster than many fixed incomes can keep up. Can the Minister commit to introducing an automatic cost of living adjustment to the subsidy income thresholds so elders are not left behind when northern costs of living rise year after year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] This item I am going to talk about is regarding how the senior citizen are helped and supported.?? When an elder makes a certain amount of money, they are not helped, but in all the regions, the elders have been telling us that everything is so expensive.?? So that's what I am going to talk about.??[Translation Ends]. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, eligibility requirements of the seniors' home heating subsidy continues to disadvantage many elders in our smaller communities. While the program is intended to support low to modest income...

Mr. Speaker, you know, many of our senior citizens in small communities, they're not going to go anywhere. They're not going to move away from their respective communities because they have families there. They have their culture, their language. So a lot of them are going to be -- are going to remain in their communities. So for that reason, that's why I was asking that if the Minister can commit or work towards to lift the income threshold instead of all these programs that the elders have to go through. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the harm that denialist's statements can cause to survivors and their families, what additional supports or engagement will the Government of the Northwest Territories provide to ensure that survivors in the Northwest Territories feel heard, respected, and protected when other jurisdictions undermine or challenge the realities of the residential school system? Thank you.