Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee has four recommendations and motions it would like to put forward.
During the review of the 1993-94 Capital Estimates, the committee was told by the Minister of Housing that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has cut its contributions for new housing in the N.W.T. by 63 per cent or $22.399 million.
This will obviously have a devastating effect in a territory where a high proportion of families are in core housing need, the cost of shelter is prohibitive, temperatures are frigid and many health, education and social problems are related to poor housing.
The federal government has acknowledged a significant responsibility for housing in the north over the years. To cut the funding lifeline now is unconscionable.
It is the opinion of the committee that the government should take an aggressive public position on the federal funding cuts to housing programs. The focus of this strategy should be to increase political support at the national level for the reinstatement of C.M.H.C. funding levels.
This position should emphasize the extent of households in core housing need, the cost of shelter and more importantly the living conditions in northern communities.