Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are some committee comments. The first one is on the federal responsibility for aboriginal housing. This government has been mandated by the Legislative Assembly to research the federal government's constitutional and moral obligation to provide adequate housing for aboriginal people. The committee feels that research into the federal government's obligation is even more urgent given the recent cuts in funding for social housing programs. This is happening at a time when the federal government is attempting to renew its commitment to aboriginal people. This research should be completed as soon as possible, and if warranted, the government should take an aggressive position with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs under legal obligations.
For the last two years, the Standing Committee on Finance has been urging the government to put a plan into action to eliminate the public housing deficit within ten years. The Minister indicated that to deal with the current housing shortfall of 3,584 units, plus the increased housing need over the next ten years would require 925 units per year, 687 per year if we had the luxury of 30 years to do it.
The fact is we do not have 30 years to house people in need. If the corporation can only build 427 units in 1993-94, things look bleak for the hope of ever reducing the housing shortage we currently face.
The Standing Committee on Finance has not yet been shown a long-term solution to the public housing crisis by this government. We have not been told what the "big picture" is. For example, what effect will new housing needs, economic development, and other developments such as staff housing issues and encouraging home ownership have on core need during the next ten years?
In any event, despite the significant improvements proposed by the corporation in these Capital Estimates, for which they should be congratulated, even more innovative approaches are needed.
As we recommended during the 1992-93 review, the committee believes that the Cabinet must re-examine government capital priorities in light of fundamental housing needs and develop a ten year plan to eliminate the public housing shortage.
The committee feels the Housing Corporation could further strengthen the information provided to the Standing Committee on Finance during the budget review by providing the details of future years' capital expenditures, such as a five year capital plan in the 1994-95 Capital Estimates and Standing Committee on Finance books. In addition, capital should be broken down by community in the S.C.O.F. book.
The corporation is delivering 119 units in 1993-94, through the Rent Supplement Program. This committee recommended the use of Rent Supplement Programs to achieve public housing goals at a time when they were used only in level I communities. We are generally pleased that the corporation has proceeded in this direction. However, the corporation did not disclose to the committee the cost of the Rent Supplement Program or the financial implications of this program for the G.N.W.T. and C.M.H.C. This committee's concern is affordability.
In future, the corporation should disclose the complete financial implication of this capital program including the Rent Supplement Program.
The committee understands that some communities have been successful in tracking C.M.H.C. funding directly for housing co-op programs. The committee believes that the corporation should facilitate more initiatives such as this. Mahsi, Mr. Chairman.