Lucy Kuptana

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is not normal, and that's the message that everybody needs to lend across the North, that this is not normal, and people need to vocalize their concerns to the local housing, to leadership, to community council, to the RCMP. They need to be vocal, and we can't stay silent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is something that Housing NWT and our territories facing over the last number of years is the rise in illegal activities across the North, specifically in public housing units. But I will tell you this: I don't have much patience for illegal activities in public housing units, and I encourage the local housing organizations to proceed with any type of rental office order and termination notice for leases and evictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is again a community issue, a territory-wide issue, and it's something that Housing NWT and our local housing organizations are facing on a daily basis. So the effectiveness is within the community itself. It's working with the staff, it's working with the tenants, it's working with the organizations, and it's working with leadership. We all have to be speaking the same language, especially in a community when we're facing immense illegal activity. We're facing public housing units where tenants are, you know, harbouring drug dealers, and this is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Susan Peffer. Susan is a longtime colleague of mine, and it's nice to see that she's participating in the internship program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome, Susan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course I am able to share that with the Member. And I think it's really important that this advisory committee get up and running with its terms of reference. And finalizing the terms of reference was really important. The first step was really crucial and critical to this committee to get formalized. And they've had four meetings to date as an advisory committee, and I can share those results with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories, we created -- in partnership with NGOs and Indigenous governments, we created a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls advisory committee in direct response to the Calls for Justice to ensure Indigenous governments, women's organizations, and 2SLGBQ2IA+ organizations have an ongoing and formal role advising government on implementation. Members are appointed directly by Indigenous governments, ensuring legitimacy and community-driven leadership in shaping our collective response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course I am able to share the roles and responsibilities of the advisory committee, including providing advice and guidance to the implementation of the action plan to support the work towards addressing the effects of colonization, as well as racial and gender discrimination at all levels of government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge International Women's Day, held on March 8th, to celebrate women's social, cultural, and political achievements throughout history and across nations. International Women's Day also provides the opportunity to showcase commitments towards gender equality, raise awareness of the gaps that persist, and highlight initiatives that promote gender equity. The 2026 theme for International Women's Day is Give to Gain, encouraging generosity and collaboration to advance gender equality.

This theme emphasizes the power of mutual support, and supporting women...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the deadline was set. It was set for February 8th, from what I understand, and there was a number of applications, and those are now with the honours advisory committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT and this government received a number of applications for naming of buildings, of the two buildings, so these applications have gone before the honours advisory committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.