Jane Weyallon Armstrong

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my original question was for the Minister of ECC, but I do have a question for Minister of Health and Social Services.

My question is the department published the NWT Health Status Chartbook in 2023 that provides cancer rates in the NWT. Can the Minister tell me if the department has statistics on cancer rates specifically in Tlicho region, for Tlicho region? Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories incorporate the recommendations contained in this report into its proposed 3-year housing plan;

And further, this committee expects the housing plan to clearly demonstrate how each recommendation is being addressed, including the actions to be taken, anticipated outcomes, and timelines for implementation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories reassess its role in providing homeownership programs in communities that are initiating their own locally led housing programs;

And further, where there are locally led initiatives, the government should redirect its investments to empower Indigenous government-led or other locally led homeownership programs that offer cultural and community specific supports. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of Northwest Territories respond to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories work with the federal government to ensure that funding mechanisms, such as those established under the Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, provide direct and equitable funding to Indigenous governments and organizations, including those with both settled and unsettled land claims;

And further, adopting this approach is necessary to address and reduce funding disparities between regions and to support equitable access to housing resources for all Indigenous...

Mr. Chair, I move that the committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories conduct an operational review of the Northwest Territories Rental Office, including whether it is accessible for tenants and landlords, whether it is adequately staffed, and whether access to justice through the Northwest Territories Legal Aid Commission is integrated within the roles and responsibilities of the rental office. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I move that the committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review all Housing Northwest Territories financial policies, including policies respecting loans and grants, to ensure treaty obligations are upheld;

And further, specifically, to ensure that policies safeguard against unfairly including treaty-related income such as dividend payments, or gifts, into an applicant's income and thus disproportionately impacting their eligibility or level of assistance;

And furthermore, this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories make any...