Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities are holding their 60th annual AGM here in Yellowknife this week. I attended the event last evening, caught up with some old colleagues, and had an opportunity to again touch base on some of the issues that the communities are facing.

Mr. Speaker, I spent 11 years in municipal politics, so I know the great work that this organization does on behalf of their communities and all our communities across the Northwest Territories. I know they've got, Mr. Speaker, meetings scheduled with Cabinet this weekend as...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you for that. I certainly appreciate you spending some time to think about that and see how we can move those forward at whatever, you know, level the department deems fit. But no further questions right now, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 448-20(1), 2026-2027 Main Estimates, the departments of Executive and Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Housing Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to know. So when, then, Mr. Speaker, will the Premier be actually sitting down at a meeting with leadership from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, again, thank you for that great news. Certainly desperately needed.

My final question, Mr. Speaker, part of that funding as well was for M&I funding for repairs and maintenance, which, again, was desperately needed in our community as many others. Can the Minister update on how the M&I funding has been rolling out and how we're proceeding with our repairs and maintenance up there as well? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions aren't on curling today; my questions are for the Minister of Housing NWT.

Mr. Speaker, with the continued shortage of homes in Inuvik, with the long waitlist still at the LHO there, and with of course the funding that was approved last year in the budget, can the Minister update on any plans currently in place for Inuvik with our new builds up there? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, beginning tomorrow, Curling NWT and the Yellowknife Curling Club will be hosting the 6th annual Rock the Rings Curling Festival. This event is intended to introduce NWT youth to the roaring sport of curling in various under 12, under 15, and under 20 divisions.

Approximately 65 youths from Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic will be curling, bowling, swimming, and having a rocking time, Mr. Speaker. Nearly half the participants will be from my home community of Inuvik. In fact, I've been told that Inuvik has fared quite well at the event over the...

Yeah, that's great, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that. So is the Premier able to maybe share some of that information he had and some of the topics that were discussed with director Gillis and Ms. Darling as well? I noticed that Ms. Darling was also in the building yesterday. Maybe there was something around LNG. But can he share that with us, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, now that there's new leadership at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, my question is for our Premier. And has the Premier reached out and taken steps to renew that -- or his relationship and our relationship with Inuvialuit Regional Corporation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. That is, indeed, excellent news. I am sure the residents will feel the same.

Beyond that project, which again is a significant project, does the Housing NWT have any additional future plans beyond that once that project is complete, and as the Minister says, on the Blueberry Patch? Thank you.