The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories and Government of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about a new partnership between the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and the De Beers Group - a partnership that will help house some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has worked hard to meet the commitments made by this Government to advance affordable housing and address homelessness during the 18th Legislative Assembly.

 In addressing this priority, we resolved to use northern solutions for northern housing.  One example is the Northern Pathways to Housing Program, an innovative approach to addressing homelessness in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of hosting the Northern Housing Summit on April 23 and 24, 2019 in Inuvik.  The Summit’s theme was “Northern Solutions for Northern Housing,” reflecting the mandate commitment of the 18th Legislative Assembly, and its purpose was to encourage new partnerships in housing.

Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) Alfred Moses and Northwest Territories (NWT) Indigenous leaders met in Inuvik recently to discuss the housing issues facing NWT Indigenous people.

Mr. Speaker, there have been many positive initiatives developed as we have worked to fulfill mandate commitments related to housing.  Good quality and affordable housing in our communities cannot be brought about just from the efforts of government.  We need to engage all parties that have the capability and the willingness to improve housing conditions for our residents. 

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to taking action so that seniors can age in place.  We want to ensure that all seniors living within the Northwest Territories have the support and programs they need to continue living in their own homes, if possible, and participate as full members in their community.

Mr. Speaker, a few months ago I had the pleasure of signing the Bilateral Agreement between the Northwest Territories and Canada on the National Housing Strategy.  One of the first funding allocations Canada proposed under the Strategy was the Northern Housing Fund, which brought $36 million in funding to the Northwest Territories.  However, this is just a starting point.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is helping to address the high cost of living in our territory by implementing Northern solutions for Northern housing.  We are working with other governments and housing stakeholders to support Indigenous and local governments in their housing aspirations and create initiatives to address homelessness.  As part of its Strategic Renewal, the Housing Corporation is developing Community Housing Plans to guide and support strategic development and investment in each community.

Mr. Speaker, access to housing continues to be one of the most serious issues for people in the Northwest Territories. Many new players are coming to the table with a new interest in addressing this need and roles and responsibilities for housing delivery continue to change and evolve. Our government is committed to working with other governments and housing stakeholders to implement northern solutions for northern housing to help address our high cost of living.