The Minister Responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), Paulie Chinna, is announcing the opening of four three-bedroom housing units in Jean Marie River.

In spring 2021 the community of Jean Marie River suffered a devastating flood. The NWTHC and other GNWT departments quickly took action to assist the community in dealing with this disaster, but the damage to buildings in the community was significant. Among the buildings damaged beyond repair were several NWTHC-owned units.

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Mr. Speaker, winter has arrived, temperatures are dropping and will continue to for the next couple of months. Dropping temperatures brings great concerns for under-housed residents, without warm place to live, without comforts that many of us enjoy day to day. 

Our partners who provide sheltering services have been planning for months. I am proud to rise today to speak about the valuable and critical work that non-governmental organizations and shelter workers do to try to keep those without a home safe and healthy.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) continues to move forward with its unprecedented level of capital delivery to address core housing needs across the Territory. This means more homes will be built and repaired in communities across the Northwest Territories, while also providing employment and economic opportunities in these communities.

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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to celebrate the award recently announced for the K’asho Got’ınę Housing Society in my home community of Fort Good Hope. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation “Gold Roof Award for Knowledge to Action” was presented to the dedicated team representing the K’asho Got’ınę Housing Society.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) recognizes that review and renewals are key to ensuring long term success in meeting the needs of our residents. Today, Paulie Chinna, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), announced the release of A Strategy for Renewal of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. 

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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is undertaking a review and renewal exercise to ensure that the Housing Corporation’s efforts are effective and producing the desired outcomes for Northwest Territories communities and residents.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), in conjunction with the Canadian Red Cross and the City of Yellowknife, is temporarily using the Yellowknife Community arena to provide essential day and overnight services to Yellowknife’s underhoused population.  This action was taken due to the significant number of COVID-19 cases within Yellowknife’s underhoused population and staff at the 50th street Day Shelter and Sobering Centre.

Today, Paulie Chinna, Minister Responsible Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) announced the opening of new environmentally-friendly 8-Plex in Sissons Court in Yellowknife. The provision of this housing supports the Government of the Northwest Territories’ mandate to ensure the availability of affordable housing as well as to consider climate change impacts when making government decisions.

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Mr. Speaker, every community in the Northwest Territories is different and has different needs and priorities. I am pleased to say that our Community Housing Support Program recognizes these differences and puts the priorities of local people right in the center of our planning processes. 

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Mr. Speaker, like all of us here today, I recognize the importance of and value education and its role in creating long term successes for our residents and our territory. I am pleased to say that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, through its apprenticeship program, also reflects this value while also working hard to improve housing for many Northwest Territories residents.