Debates of May 29, 2025 (day 62)

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Question 748-20(1): Northern United Place Energy Efficiency Renewal Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in an unusual circumstance here, I gave the Minister a head's up on this particular one, so the Minister of housing won't be surprised on my question because it's so important we can't miss this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, the question is about helping Northern United Place on their renewal project. They have obtained loans and processes all on their own, and all they require is housing to support them as a backstop to help underwrite the loans, the million dollars of loans they are potentially receiving. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister direct her department before the May 30th deadline lapses, and they miss this energy efficiency renewal project. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At first, it may appear like a layout of cash but it's not. It's just a guarantee, and the GNWT will get its money back because this is a 50-year organization that is cruising to work.

Mr. Speaker, what communication has the Minister, through her department obviously, had with the Yellowknife Community Association in the context of NUP about what they're doing and how they're trying to meet their deadline of tomorrow May 30th? Thank you.

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.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to freshen up the memory of this particular House, it was housing was supported through a move forward on $41.6 million, Mr. Speaker. Ooh, that's a lot of money. Mr. Speaker, I'm asking is there any way to tap into that financial opportunity temporarily to support this multimillion dollar initiative they got all on their own and they're going to pay for it all on their own. And, Mr. Speaker, lastly, they've done this for 50 years without interruption, and they've served this community well. Can the Minister find a way to make this happen? Thank you.

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 internal discussions, and I'm pressing Housing NWT for a response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.