Lucy Kuptana

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And again, recognizing the number of concerns that we have from the Tlicho region and Monfwi riding that these discussions could be -- we could have internal discussions, but we can also talk to Tlicho government. We do have a memorandum of agreement with Tlicho government. So this could be a discussion item with the Tlicho government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A huge question, because this is the type of question that I asked Council of Leaders in Ottawa when the Minister, the federal Minister, Gregor Robertson was attending the Council of Leaders.

Considering the waitlist, considering we have over 900 families on the waitlist, considering we have probably 140 of them in Behchoko alone, how do we address housing needs across the Northwest Territories? One thing we need to do is we need to work in collaboration, and this is what I spoke to with Indigenous leaders at the table, is we need to work in collaboration, we need to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that there is many communities in the Northwest Territories where elders do have language barriers and many times English is not their first language. In terms of the Monfwi riding in the Tlicho region, we do have three staff that regularly go into the riding and meet with constituents or tenants for Housing NWT, but they also provide a translator for that work as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, thank you to the Member for the emphasis on how important this project is, especially for downtown Yellowknife, affordable housing, Aurora College students. This is really important that we provide a place, and the renovation project sounds like a great renovation project and some good work by the NWT Community Services Corporation.

We're looking at the community housing initiative funding and seeing if there's any opportunity to provide some funds through the community housing initiative fund to the NWT Community Services Corporation. So, again, these are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Yes, this is a great project, excited to hear all the good work that the NWT Community Services Corporation has done, and the exciting work around the rehabilitation of Northern United Place with the renovation project. Housing NWT at this time is still working on a response, Mr. Speaker, and I'm hoping to have something today or tomorrow with the response to the NWT Community Services Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, ensuring the health and well-being of all residents in the Northwest Territories is an essential work of this government.

The NWT is falling behind other jurisdictions when it comes to implementing healthy safeguards to limit smoking. Yukon implemented a smoking ban in public and government housing in 2012, and Nunavut followed suit in 2023. Now, we must align with prevailing health advice and ensure safe, client-focused housing solutions.

There is extensive research on the negative impacts of smoking and second-hand smoke on health and social outcomes. Smoking rates in the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Mr. Terry Testart and his wife Maureen Marshall, former residents of the Nunakput riding and a mentor of mine with the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk. Also recognizing all the fire department members, all the emergency responders, thank you for your service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, Housing NWT, we cannot guarantee anything. This is a financial management board decision because we can't continue to take on debt. It reduces the borrowing capacity of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Internal discussions right now with the Community Services Corporation and Housing NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commend the high school graduates of 2025 in the Nunakput riding. These young people have persevered over the last 12 years to complete their high school curriculum. Although this is the end of high school, hopefully this is not the end of their educational journey as it is my hope, and the hope of many, that our people lead in all aspects of our communities, our organizations; whatever they dream to be - including nursing, teaching, local administration, and accounting. We also need tradespeople to build and maintain our homes and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, the seniors home repair program and the senior aging in place program, these are complementary programs that Housing NWT offers throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.