Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, non‑government organizations have long been at the heart of northern communities. Every day, NGOs deliver essential services that help residents find safety, stability, and the support they need to move forward. Their work is grounded in deep local knowledge, strong community relationships, and a long history of stepping up when people need help the most.

Today, I want to speak to the important steps our government is taking to strengthen the essential services Northerners rely on by improving how we support the organizations that deliver them. This year’s budget proposes $2.3 million in new, permanent funding to help stabilize critical NGO‑delivered shelter and supportive housing services across the territory.

This investment responds to long‑standing funding pressures raised by our partners. It provides stable resources to help address staffing challenges, rising operating costs, and the need for predictable funding that allows organizations to plan ahead. Most importantly, it helps ensure that emergency shelters and supportive housing programs remain open, reliable, and there for the residents who depend on them.

Alongside this new funding, we are improving how we work with the NGO sector. Through service integration work that is already underway, regular engagement with housing and shelter partners, and new federal investments delivered in partnership with community organizations, we are building a more stable and sustainable system of supports, grounded in the expertise of organizations that have been doing this work for generations.

For decades, NGOs have been the GNWT’s essential partners in responding to homelessness and housing insecurity. They deliver emergency shelters, supportive housing, transitional programs, drop‑in services, counselling, and outreach, all of which contribute to healthier, safer communities. Across the territory, their efforts reduce pressure on health, justice, and social supports while improving outcomes for some of our most vulnerable residents.

This year, the YWCA NWT is celebrating its 60th anniversary. This milestone is a reminder of the long history of community leadership in our territory. For six decades, the YWCA has provided housing, emergency shelter, family support, and programs that continue to make a real difference in people’s lives. Many of the services Northerners rely on today exist because organizations like the YWCA have shown leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to community well‑being.

Mr. Speaker, our government values the role that NGOs play in our communities, and we recognize the importance of ensuring these organizations have the stability they need to continue supporting residents for many years to come. The new funding included in this year’s budget represents an important step in strengthening that foundation. I want to thank all NGOs across the Northwest Territories for their dedication and their tireless work, and I congratulate the YWCA NWT on six decades of service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.