Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for housing. Mr. Speaker, GNWT received various auditor general's reports, education, social program, and housing all gave a failing grade. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, Tlicho region is in housing crisis with severe overcrowding in Tlicho communities. What immediate steps is the Minister of Housing NWT taking to build new houses in the Tlicho region rather than relocating families to Yellowknife. Thank you.

Okay, so what page are we on, then? 198, okay. I know that with administrative and support services, I don't see in here -- it would have been nice if we can -- if we know the administrative and support services, if it was broken down by regions so then I could see clearly how much is being spent to Tlicho region. You know, like, I am sure you would like to know too, for Sahtu, you know, because all regions are important to us and we do rely heavily on the government program and services. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, improving health care, it's very important, especially in the small communities in the Northwest Territories. It's mostly in -- almost all the Indigenous communities across Canada, health care needs to be improved. It's good to know that there's going -- you know, that funding will be renewed, the agreement for the funding will be renewed.

The other one here, capital transfer, a Green and Inclusive Community Building Agreement, that budget is cut in half for the upcoming fiscal year. Can the Minister also explain why that this funding it's -- like going...

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this is questions for -- regarding heating subsidy program for seniors.

So many of our senior citizens living in small communities do not have the luxury of relocating or moving south of the border where cost of living is less. Will the Minister commit to lifting income thresholds for programs such as heating subsidy for senior citizens over 65 years of age in the NWT? Mr. Speaker, I'll tell you in small communities, you will not find senior citizens living on $200,000 a year pension. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the cost of heating fuel, electricity, and home maintenance continues to climb faster than many fixed incomes can keep up. Can the Minister commit to introducing an automatic cost of living adjustment to the subsidy income thresholds so elders are not left behind when northern costs of living rise year after year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] This item I am going to talk about is regarding how the senior citizen are helped and supported.?? When an elder makes a certain amount of money, they are not helped, but in all the regions, the elders have been telling us that everything is so expensive.?? So that's what I am going to talk about.??[Translation Ends]. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, eligibility requirements of the seniors' home heating subsidy continues to disadvantage many elders in our smaller communities. While the program is intended to support low to modest income...

Mr. Speaker, you know, many of our senior citizens in small communities, they're not going to go anywhere. They're not going to move away from their respective communities because they have families there. They have their culture, their language. So a lot of them are going to be -- are going to remain in their communities. So for that reason, that's why I was asking that if the Minister can commit or work towards to lift the income threshold instead of all these programs that the elders have to go through. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many elders are being denied the subsidy despite being just over the income threshold, yet they still struggle to afford heating their homes. Will the Minister consider creating a hardship provision or flexible reassessment process for seniors who narrowly exceed the threshold but clearly face heating insecurity? Thank you.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, seniors on fixed incomes in our small communities are telling me that the current income threshold for the seniors' home heating subsidies and other program as well is simply too low to reflect the real cost of living. Will the Minister commit to reviewing the income threshold to ensure it better aligns with the true heating costs faced by seniors in smaller communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the defeat of the motion that was introduced, but there are people out there with that kind of mindset so we need to let the public know that is wrong. So how will the GNWT reinforce its public commitment to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and support communities, survivors, and Indigenous governments, so that the day continues to serve its intended purpose of truth telling, honouring survivors, and educating the public? Thank you.