MLAs urge action on housing, water, medical travel in bumper day

A motion seeking the creation of a program that transfers Housing NWT’s market rentals to current tenants was approved by MLAs in the legislature – one of four in a historic day.

The three other motions passed on Thursday related to water flowing north from Alberta, housing for Elders and medical travel. Each received unanimous support from regular MLAs.

Cabinet ministers abstained from voting, as is ordinarily the case when a motion calls for action from the GNWT.

An examination of the record of all NWT legislature votes kept by OpenNWT suggests no other day this century has witnessed four such motions brought by regular MLAs calling on the government to take action.

(OpenNWT is independently maintained. While it provides an authoritative database of legislative proceedings, it also acknowledges its record may not be 100-percent complete.)

Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong said her homeownership motion seeks opportunities for tenants to acquire their homes if they have demonstrated long-term stability and responsibility.

Weyallon Armstrong said constituents told her they have lived in the same rental unit for the past 20 years, having paid more than $200,000 in rent over two decades. They are asking to own their homes.

“This work should include a careful review of the portfolio supported by clear eligibility criteria, fair market valuation and consideration of long-term housing strategy impacts,” said Weyallon Armstrong.

“The goal is to establish a transparent framework to guide how such transfer could take place.”

Opposition to an Alberta water bill

Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon moved a motion that asks the territorial government to formally oppose Alberta’s Bill 7: Water Amendment Act.

Most notably for the NWT, the bill makes it easier to carry out what Alberta calls “lower-risk” transfers of water between water basins. It also merges the Peace-Slave River basin and Athabasca River basin, turning the two ecologically distinct basins into one management entity.

“The plan to merge water basins is in direct violation of our transboundary agreement,” said Edjericon.

“This will fundamentally alter the flow of balance of watersheds, affecting lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater. It will degrade water quality and disrupt ecosystems that rely on seasonal flows, spawning cycles, temperature ranges, sediment levels and oxygen levels.”

Waiving rent for Elders in public housing

Weyallon Armstrong moved an additional motion on Thursday that calls on the GNWT to waive rent for all Elders 65 and older who live in public housing, “as soon as administratively feasible.”

“Many Elders who reside in public housing are facing increased financial hardship with fixed incomes and continuously rising costs of living,” said Weyallon Armstrong.

“Even modest increases in expenses can push Elders into difficult choices between essentials like food, heat, medication and housing.”

She said these challenges are felt most acutely in smaller communities where affordable housing options are limited and the cost of living is higher.

“We must remember that Elders are the heart of our communities,” said Weyallon Armstrong.

“They are the keepers of our languages, our knowledge and our traditions. Their contributions – cultural, social and emotional – enrich the Northwest Territories in ways that cannot be measured in dollars.”

Strengthening medical travel

Edjericon moved a second motion on Thursday asking the territorial government to implement an emergency support mechanism and accompanying fund to help speed up approvals for medical travel escorts.

“Our people need their loved ones by their side to understand treatment plans, to advocate for them,” said Edjericon.

Expressing support for the motion, Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan said the motion doesn’t appear to speak to an issue previously raised in the legislature about people who request an escort when they suffer a medical emergency outside the territory, but said it could be a topic of future conversation.

“I would just note that my understanding is that the work that is being demanded here really aligns with what I’ve heard is already under way from the Department of Health and Social Services, and so I look forward to the government’s response,” said Morgan.

The motions aren’t binding. Though each motion was carried, cabinet is not obliged to act as a consequence. However, motions of this nature do generally require a response from the territorial government within 120 days.

Ollie Williams contributed reporting.