Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister advised the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions that the current board of directors has been inactive for almost one year. He reported that, in that time, he has not received a single request from any individual, group or community asking that the board of directors meet. This suggested to the standing committee that management's direct approach with communities has been generally effective in ensuring that input is received from local authorities and governments.

The standing committee indicated to the Minister that this model of direct consultation should be strengthened and that a mechanism should be found for ensuring that community concerns are dealt with at the senior management policy level. This has been addressed in the new consultation framework which the Minister developed at committee's request.

There are other aspects that need to be considered as well. Many of the factors to which the corporation has had to respond with, shifts in housing policy have occurred as a result of Cabinet initiatives related to economic development, the delivery of health and social services or employment programs. The board of directors has been distant from these developments within other government departments and from the planning for interdepartmental coordination which takes place in Cabinet. This has led to inefficiencies both with respect to the representation of corporation interests in the development of global policy for this government and with respect to the translation of global policy into action. In many ways, it would be preferential to see housing issues dealt with in an organizational structure that operated more like a government department than a corporation. In practical terms, this shift has already taken place on its own. Eliminating the board of directors would merely formalize the organizational framework that has already evolved.

In summary, Mr. Chairman, in considering the Minister's rationale for elimination of the board of directors, the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions took serious issue with some of the principles advanced.

However, upon examining the role and the function of the Board of Directors for the N.W.T. Housing Corporation, the Standing Committee came to the conclusion that it was not in the best interests of the government to maintain the existing board or corporate structure.

In making this finding, the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions would in no way wish to diminish the hard work and commitment demonstrated by current or past members of this board. Certainly, their contribution has been very much appreciated. The fundamental reality is that at the present time the development and implementation of housing policy and programs in the Northwest Territories is better served by a management framework which places direct control with the Minister. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Koe will be continuing.