Lucy Kuptana

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the work around housing and our territorial housing needs assessment shows the -- is a big indicator of the work we have to do over the next number of years. And I think that me as a Minister and with this Cabinet, we are pushing forward and there's a lot of support around housing and a lot of support around small, remote communities. As an MLA for Nunakput,it's really important that we deliver, especially in homes in our communities. And I see it every day. I see it when I go home. And that's the life I live, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I am not the federal government, I am not the one handing out the Build Canada Homes funding. But, absolutely, when we had a meeting with MLA Edjericon about Build Canada Homes, I encouraged the MLA to provide a proposal, work with the Akaitcho chiefs and provide a proposal at the regional level for Build Canada Homes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important in the negotiation with Build Canada Homes that Build Canada Homes is looking for an investment. It's looking for a 50/50 investment. So our government, Government of the Northwest Territories, we need to negotiate a proposal for Build Canada Homes, then we'd come back to the government and discuss the details around that proposal. But that would be part of our investment, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one thing we are doing currently is with our Build Canada Homes proposal is -- we're hoping that this would be a big part of the proposal is how we build in community but have that mechanical core system as a big part of our design. So I know right now with our 48-unit modular build, we're lending that throughout the territory. And these will be modular homes that are being built in Hay River. We're also having modular homes being built in Fort Good Hope, modular homes built with the Tlicho Development Corporation. But with the Deline hybrid design, it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the role of the local housing board is important. They work with the housing staff to make sure that the community housing services agreement within the community is maintained and also followed but also looking at infrastructure within community, looking at applications. The board doesn't necessarily look at the applications themselves because of the new -- the point rating system that's been in place for the past 15 years. But in terms of more of a collaborative role, a community contact role, hosting annual general meetings so tenants can come to that meeting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for the question. This is the type of question we get throughout the Northwest Territories on the relationship between the local housing authority and the board staff and also all the tenants within the community. Important question because the relationship has become more so where we're finding that the authorities are more responding to the districts, and I see it in many of the BFs that are issued to the Minister. And I think, again, we have to go back to the housing staff and the districts and also the authorities and just make sure that...

Mr. Speaker, of course I am willing to sit down with the Dene National Chief to talk about their vision around housing in the Northwest Territories, have a conversation. But one thing I will say is I am working with Indigenous rights organizations in this Northwest Territories, and we work one-on-one or through the NWT Housing Forum. But of course willing to sit down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, Housing NWT is focused on reviewing its homeownership programs to ensure its effectiveness. Once these programs have been reviewed, Housing NWT will evaluate what education tools may be needed to support the program's and clients' success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.