Lucy Kuptana

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with the accepted Legislative Assembly conventions, Housing NWT is completing its research and work on the motion and will table a response at the beginning of the next sitting of the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We'd have to consider any application. There is a process for that application, and we have to follow the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the MLA is asking about elders, and this is something she's brought up over the last number of months with many elders that are falling into arrears. I'm sure there's many reasons why elders are falling into arrears, and she has kind of explained some of those reasons. And housing does some analysis with it and does work with clients into why they are falling into arrears. There is some counselling available to clients, especially those elders. So we can provide more information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the only way this government can effectively address the territory's housing crisis is through true partnership with Indigenous governments. As stated in this government's mandate, Indigenous governments play an important role in advancing housing initiatives that meet the unique needs of NWT communities, and we must work closely with them to ensure we are implementing housing solutions that have a real, positive impact on residents.

In this spirit of true partnership, Housing NWT has signed four formal agreements with Indigenous governments that support...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, there is a number of displaced families in the community of Fort Resolution because of the fire on Saturday. Housing NWT is working very diligently to ensure that all families have homes over the next couple of days. And the great thing is Fort Resolution had some vacant units, so they are looking at accommodating those families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Housing NWT has not had direct discussions with community governments at this time in Fort McPherson, Aklavik, or Tsiigehtchic. We have had regional discussions with Indigenous governments but no specific discussions at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What Housing NWT is willing to do at this time is meet with the tenants, those clients that need assistance, and provide them with support in applying for the Canada-NWT Housing Benefit. They can go through the forms with the tenants and provide that assistance at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of education could take this question as well. She's a big part of it, and she's the one advancing the work with the other departments.

But, yes, this is something that we talk about often, how we can work together as departments, looking at bringing in advancing capacity, looking at more apprenticeships throughout the North, and just the entire labour workforce, how we can help boost that -- the workforce throughout the North. So, yes, we're willing to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And with the reference to working directly with community governments, we can do that. We can talk, and we can have discussions.

In terms of vacant units and those that could be renovated and have a move-in phase, I mean, we can look at that and provide those numbers to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, yes, we're willing to send a team down to assist those seniors that need assistance.