Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that. And we'll get into the financial impacts of that maybe another day. But so I understand that seniors are automatically renewed, but other beneficiaries must reapply every year. What reminder systems or supports are in place to ensure that non-senior residents re-register on time so that they do not experience an interruption in their coverage, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last September, the NWT's new Extended Health Care Benefits Policy took effect, replacing the old specified disease condition program, with an income-based model that now covers drugs, medical supplies, dental care, and vision care for everyone who qualifies. The program requires residents to register and go through an income testing process.

I am hearing, Mr. Speaker, from some residents in my community that they are unaware of the extended health benefits program which begs the question, Mr. Speaker, how is this program being communicated to those...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister. And I think that's crucial. It was alarming, the number of people that weren't aware they had to register for the program. So I'm glad to hear that, and we'll keep an eye on that as we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, as part of the work to modernize the medical travel, has the Minister given any consideration to folding the medical travel policy, if possible, into the extended health benefits framework. Is that something that's do-able and something she's considering? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member's statement, can the Minister confirm how many -- sorry, my questions are for the Minister of health.

Can the Minister confirm how many NWT residents are currently registered for the new extended health benefits, and can she provide a regional breakdown by income band of all approved applicants, both seniors and non-seniors, so Members can see where there may be pockets of residents that may need additional support to register. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate that. And I know the Minister is well aware of what's happening up there. I know she has very close ties to Inuvik and is very respected in Inuvik.

Would the Minister consider in the short-term, you know, if possible, relocating some of -- at least the families and the elders out of that building until such time as that their work's been completed to get this building to where it needs to be? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had hoped not to have to make this Member's statement once again in this House; I think I've made it a couple of times. Mr. Speaker, it's dealing with the issue of Nova Apartments in the community of Inuvik in my riding.

Mr. Speaker, I still get weekly emails, messages, and calls regarding the standard of living in the building. Messages are often accompanied by photos, sometimes videos, showing the often horrendous living conditions and the common areas of this building. Often there are videos of altercations within the building, violence, doors being...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hopefully with our spanking new budget and our $50 million, we can get some of these boarded up units in Inuvik ready for some of these families to go in and enjoy life the way they should.

My final question, Mr. Speaker, is that would the department or has the department considered looking at -- and I'm not sure where the landlord is on this -- but, you know, purchasing this building, taking 100 percent ownership of this building, taking 100 percent responsibility to get this building up to where it needs to be? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement regarding the conditions in the Nova Apartment building, I'd like to ask the Minister of housing what housing has been doing and what they plan to do to ensure that the security of the building, first and foremost, has been managed and the conditions are improved. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the permission of the Moses family to remember the late Winston Moses, a respected elder and friend to all to the town of Inuvik.

Winston's family said the world got a little brighter when their dad, grandfather, uncle, and friend Winston John Moses was born on April 6th, 1944, in Old Crow, Yukon. In his early years, Winston was raised by his sister Mary Lazarus Charlie and his godparents Ellen and Robert Booth Senior. Winston attended residential school in Old Crow, Aklavik, and then Inuvik. He later attended vocational school in...