Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, earlier this sitting I was very pleased to update this House on the establishment of the Northwest Territories Housing Forum. The NWT Housing Forum is just one of 42 program and policy changes that Housing NWT staff have been working tirelessly on in collaboration with partners from across the territory.

Later today I will table a progress update on the 42 actions arising from the program and policy review. The update, which will be posted on Housing NWT’s website, gives a snapshot of where we are in terms of implementing those actions, many of which are already being implemented, with many more continuing to be rolled out.  Accountability is one of Housing NWT’s core values as set out in its new mandate.  This progress update is an important aspect of Housing NWT’s accountability to the public and to our partners for use of the public resources that are entrusted to it every year by this Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT is making excellent progress on the implementation of the actions. Only five of the actions are subject to a moderate amount of delay, based on the originally projected timelines. Many of the actions are already being implemented, and some will require further work with the NWT Housing Forum, and other partners, to finalize.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will also be tabling Housing NWT’s Energy Strategy and Energy Blueprint, along with a “What We Heard” Report. The energy plans are another action referenced in the strategy, which benefited from the input of the Council of Leaders Working Group and other partners. I amm excited about the dividends this work will pay in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of these changes and proud of Housing NWT staff and partners for making them possible.  Every day, I am looking for more progress, more steps forward, to be made.

Despite these changes, though, I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Housing NWT’s renewal process is not yet complete. This process is embedded in Housing NWT’s mandate and its approaches. By promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, renewal will have a life well beyond this Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by thanking Housing NWT’s many partners for making these changes possible, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that will come from them.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.