Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories, through Housing Northwest Territories, collaborate with local housing organizations to revise their repair and maintenance policies in a manner that empowers public housing tenants to undertake minor repairs and maintenance themselves where appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories assign the territorial housing advocate and its office to investigate how human rights and advocacy organizations can pursue legal remedies for violations of the right to housing through legal or policy frameworks;

And further, this research study should identify existing legal barriers to housing-related claims, consider amendments to the Northwest Territories' Human Rights Act or other relevant statutes and establish clear mechanisms for litigation and legal recourse;

And furthermore, the research...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review the public housing tenant eligibility policy to ensure that it provides those ineligible for public housing a clear and time-bound response to how they could have their eligibility reinstated. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories sign memorandums of understanding with Indigenous governments who have settled land claims with land use policies to encourage housing development. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories publicly recognize the colonial legacies that have contributed to Indigenous homelessness in the Northwest Territories;

And further, to address these legacies the Government of the Northwest Territories should use the principle outlined in the Northwest Territories United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Implementation Act to guide policy changes in the housing sector and increase local government decision-making to facilitate the co-development of new...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories reform the housing appeals process to support the progressive realization of the right to housing and ensure more inclusive, transparent, and efficient oversight;

And further, this necessarily includes: That all appeals under public housing and homeownership programs bypass the district director and proceed directly to the housing appeal committee to streamline the process and reduce administrative burden and barriers;

And furthermore, that the composition of the housing appeal committee be revised...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories expedite the development of a Territorial Building Code to encourage the development of safe and appropriate housing and to dismantle barriers to building in the North;

And further, to publicly commit to the timelines necessary for this work to be brought forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, today I rise to speak to the Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right presented by the Standing Committee on Social Development. This report is the result of a comprehensive study taken by committee following direction from the House in February 2024. The purpose of the study was to examine how the right to adequate housing can be implemented through the laws and policies of the Northwest Territories.

I would like to share a quote from a researcher who presented to committee during our study. They said: There has never been a point in time where the...

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories establish a mechanism to more equitably assess eligibility for homeownership programs;

And further, these programs should take into account individual circumstances, particularly in cases involving outstanding mortgage and rental arrears, to ensure that the programs are responsive to the complex realities faced by residents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review municipal funding policies administered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to ensure they do not create barriers to community-directed housing initiatives, including staff housing;

And further, to commit to a timeline for when this review will be complete. Thank you, Mr. Chair.