Lucy Kuptana

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This territorial housing needs assessment is going to provide an evidence-based platform to submit to the federal government with our Build Canada Homes proposal. So we'll provide a proposal. Most of the proposal is accepted online, and we're going to load the territorial housing needs assessment to add to our Build Canada Homes proposal. But also in our negotiations with the federal government, we'll provide them the territorial housing needs assessment. And again, it provides evidence. It provides the need across the Northwest Territories to our application. Thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like the Member mentioned, we're finding that delivering housing across the Northwest Territories is sometimes very difficult considering our remote locations and the low water levels that we've been having over the last number of years. So one thing we're doing with Housing NWT is we're looking at different types of designs and different types of delivery. And with this new innovative design in Deline, what has been introduced is a mechanical core system which is shipped up to Deline, either by winter road or by the barging system, and the community builds...

Mr. Speaker, I think in terms of the policy, it's about the implementation of the policy and how we're affecting our community housing services agreement at the local level. It's about, again, relationships and communication. So I think with the tenants, the first step is talking to the tenant relations officer, perhaps elevating it to the manager, and then they would go to the housing board or sometimes to the MLA. And I see with most times in the Mackenzie Delta, they're going to the MLA, which is fine. I mean, that's an MLA's role as well. But I think in terms of with the community itself...

So I will just stand, Mr. Speaker, now. Just kidding.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Council of Leaders has nothing to do with devolution. What is part of devolution is the Intergovernmental Council. Just to clarify that. But, again, we do work in partnership with the Akaitcho and the Dehcho communities that are interested in delivering housing in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, today I announce the completion and release of the Territorial Housing Needs Assessment. This report examines housing needs across the Northwest Territories, both now and into the future. It provides the foundation for collaborative action, evidence-based planning, and strong advocacy for increased housing investment across the NWT.

A territorial-wide assessment has not been completed for over 25 years. While Housing NWT has worked with several communities over the years to develop housing needs assessments through the community housing plans initiative, the NWT has not conducted a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for the question. I think I answered the question earlier. But with the NWT Housing Forum, I just want to clarify that many communities in the Akaitcho and the Dehcho region participate in the NWT Housing Forum and have ongoing discussions and work in collaboration with Housing NWT. So these conversations and these partnerships continue even if they're not part of the devolution agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think with the STEP program that what we're doing now is we're offering this online, so it's available throughout the Northwest Territories online.

In terms of capacity constraints though, with our program officers they're finding overwhelming need, especially with the applications in our different various home repair/homeownership programs, that there's a number of applications coming in because the need for housing is so great in the Northwest Territories that that's one of the barriers, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the work around housing and our territorial housing needs assessment shows the -- is a big indicator of the work we have to do over the next number of years. And I think that me as a Minister and with this Cabinet, we are pushing forward and there's a lot of support around housing and a lot of support around small, remote communities. As an MLA for Nunakput,it's really important that we deliver, especially in homes in our communities. And I see it every day. I see it when I go home. And that's the life I live, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I am not the federal government, I am not the one handing out the Build Canada Homes funding. But, absolutely, when we had a meeting with MLA Edjericon about Build Canada Homes, I encouraged the MLA to provide a proposal, work with the Akaitcho chiefs and provide a proposal at the regional level for Build Canada Homes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important in the negotiation with Build Canada Homes that Build Canada Homes is looking for an investment. It's looking for a 50/50 investment. So our government, Government of the Northwest Territories, we need to negotiate a proposal for Build Canada Homes, then we'd come back to the government and discuss the details around that proposal. But that would be part of our investment, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.