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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update you on crucial improvements to the Northwest Territories Income Assistance program.
In July, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will introduce a new, targeted Income Assistance program for seniors and persons with disabilities. These anticipated changes, first announced last year, are ready to roll out across the territory next month.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the 5th anniversary of the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The Final Report describes the dire situation faced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people as genocide, and delivers 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, the 20th Legislative Assembly has made access to health care one of our top priorities. I am happy to share that as of today May 30th, the Łıwegǫ̀atı building is open to the public.
Quality health and social services for patients and clients from this building supports the new campus of care model through the co-location of services. This includes integrated teams for primary care, outpatient rehabilitation services, extended care, and long-term care.
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Mr. Speaker, increasing Indigenous representation in the public service has long been a goal of the Legislative Assembly. Indigenous under-representation within the public service is a complex and multi-dimensional issue and requires a variety of actions to address, from changes to policy and programming, to increasing resources and training opportunities.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to provide the House with an update on negotiations and discussions with the Government of Canada on the delivery of the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program. This is a national program available to eligible First Nations and Inuit residents. In the NWT, portions of the program are administered by the GNWT on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada, through a contribution agreement.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a significant issue affecting the Northwest Territories: the historic low water levels that have been observed over the entire Mackenzie River Basin.
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Mr. Speaker, as we face another season of floods and wildfires, I understand that many communities and residents are concerned about the potential for disaster events. We have experienced a series of unprecedented disasters over the past four years, and as the snow melts, we are seeing dramatic changes to our landscape as a result of record low water levels.
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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.
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Mr. Speaker, with this first budget of the 20th Legislative Assembly, we are changing how we deliver on priorities in a way that is realistic, responsible and always with an eye on being financially ready for whatever the future might bring.
