Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The legislation I am presenting for approval today is Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act. This amendment will eliminate the requirement for the N.W.T. Housing Corporation to have a board of directors and make the Minister responsible for the N.W.T. Housing Corporation solely accountable to this Legislative Assembly for the conduct and affairs of the corporation. This bill has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions and by the Standing Committee on Legislation. I would like to thank the Members of both these committees for the opportunity to review the principles and content of the amendment and to address their questions and concerns.

During my recent meetings with the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions, the Members made several constructive suggestions to improve our proposal to improve public consultation. I believe we have a better consultation framework as a result of these discussions. I am pleased to have the committee's support to implement the following initiatives in 1993-94, as they recommended: establish a special advisory committee on housing and more consultation and information sharing with fellow M.L.A.s; an annual meeting in each district with representatives with the local housing organizations and community leaders to deal with district housing issues; annual public meetings in every community to deal with local concerns; and, more consultation and stronger partnerships between the corporation and local housing organizations, community governments and local groups.

It is my firm belief, Mr. Chairman, that the problems we face in housing as in many other issues, should be addressed in a more cooperative way. No one person has all the answers. There is much to gain by asking people in the communities to help develop solutions to our housing problems. A special advisory committee on housing has been suggested because it would give M.L.A.s a formal advisory role on housing issues and major new programs and policies. I believe that the input from the special advisory committee will be of great value as we develop new policies and programs. In addition, I have made a commitment to provide all Members of this House with regular updates and to share information on new policy and program development.

I have read the comments made by the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions about the need to define more clearly how the committee would be structured and how it would operate. I understand these concerns, Mr. Chairman, and I will seek a further opportunity to review these proposals with M.L.A.s before bringing it into a formal motion at the next session to establish a special committee on housing. The purpose of the bill before the House today, Mr. Chairman, is to remove the requirement for the new Housing Corporation to have a board of directors. There will be no other changes to the corporation structure as a result of Bill 3.

However, the removal of the requirement for the board is the first step towards the eventual conversion of the N.W.T. Housing Corporation to a government department.

I agree with the comment in the report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions recommending a departmental structure for the delivery of housing programs. I am glad to be bringing forward legislation in 1993-94 to convert the corporation to a department and to strengthen the emphasis of the important role played by local housing organizations and community governments in the delivery of housing. The "shell corporation" which was the subject of the document I tabled yesterday will not be required until such a conversion takes place. As the Members are aware, the corporation's financial arrangements with C.M.H.C. and the Housing Corporation are covered by legal agreements. Legislation to convert the corporation to a department must be carefully drafted to ensure that these legal agreements will continue without delays or disruptions. The corporation has also begun discussions with communities interested in taking over more responsibility for housing programs. It is important that our Legislature facilitate such transfers.

In closing, I would like to thank the Members for their support for this legislative amendment and for their good advice which has improved our consultation framework. I will be pleased to implement all the recommendations contained in the report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions. I look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with all the Members as we strive to address the housing needs of all our N.W.T. communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.