Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Minister of Finance and this government for their hard work on these estimates. But, Mr. Speaker, I must be honest. Housing in the Tlicho region is in severe crisis, and I do not believe that this budget reflects the urgency that this issue deserves.

Families are living in conditions that no one in this country should have to live in.

Mr. Speaker, this government has said that improving the suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing is one of its top priorities. I appreciate the 10 new houses allocated to the Tlicho region...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, elders, residents of Behchoko, and even Tlicho workers, have raised concerns about the Rayrock mine site and how nearby lakes could affect people's health and safety. These lakes are not being cleaned up as part of the current remediation work.

Mr. Speaker, the lakes known locally as Alpha, Beta, and Gamma are all connected to the old uranium mining at Rayrock. They are not part of the remediation plan. Even though they are very close to areas that are being treated, active clean-up taking place, sometimes less than 100 metres away.

The question that must be...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Northwest Territories collaborate with the Yukon Government and the Government of Nunavut to develop a unified pan-territorial advocacy plan;

And further, this plan should be used to advocate to the Government of Canada to ensure that federal policies and funding are better aligned with northern realities and Indigenous perspectives in light of federal strategies (i.e. Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy) and funding that continues to fall short in reaching the housing needs of Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories work with Housing Northwest Territories and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to develop and endorse a draft definition of the housing continuum that reflects the northern context;

And further, this preliminary northern housing definition should incorporate Indigenous understandings of housing and home and support a reframing of housing policy and funding models to align with the lived realities of northern communities;

And furthermore, this committee encourages the use of the alternative...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review and revise the collection policy to ensure that the policy prioritizes the well-being and dignity of individuals and their right to adequate housing;

And further, collection action should not jeopardize an individual's ability to secure and maintain adequate housing;

And furthermore, the collection policy should establish clear accountability mechanisms to ensure that collections comply with human rights standards;

And furthermore, in its review, the Government of the Northwest Territories...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories actively collaborate with municipalities and communities across the territory to develop and implement a standardized encampment protocol;

And further, this protocol should prioritize the safety and dignity of individuals living in tent encampments while also ensuring respectful coexistence with neighboring residents, properties, and public spaces;

And furthermore, establishing clear guidelines and responsibilities will help prevent conflict, support vulnerable populations, and promote community...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories present a legislative proposal by mid-2026 to significantly modernize the Northwest Territories' Residential Tenancies Act;

And further, the amendments should be centered on the right to adequate housing and provide clear guidance to tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review the community housing support initiative program to ensure it is reaching its goals and full effectiveness;

And further, specifically, this committee recommends interviewing current and past recipients on the feasibility of supporting housing affordability and adequacy beyond the duration of their contribution agreement in order to evaluate the initiative's long-term impact on housing;

And furthermore, it is recommended that the Government of the Northwest Territories publish the results of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this support is greatly needed in many of the small communities. We have a lot of people that have been homeless for many years, and they really do need a lot of support, a lot of trauma experience in their lives due to being homeless. And some of the people that I talk to, they put themselves in harm's way just so that they can have a place to sleep. So there's a lot of social issues that comes along with them. And some of the residents that are homeless, you know what they're saying to me? I almost got raped. That's what they're saying. So how many of those...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories amend the Legal Aid Act and its regulations to include matters arising under the Residential Tenancies Act, as well as other housing-related legal matters, such as evictions, that may fall outside of the Residential Tenancies Act, as subjects to which legal aid services may be provided;

And further, the Government of the Northwest Territories should utilize the upcoming new federal Blueprint for a Renters' Bill of Rights to inform the development of effective legal aid services for tenants that reduce...