Can the Minister advise us of how many municipalities are in financial difficulty?

Minister Todd.

I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker, I didn't hear the question.

Would you advise us of how many municipalities are in a financial situation which is not good?

Mr. Todd.

I don't have the details at this time, Mr. Speaker. I will provide it to the honourable Member some time next week.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, under the Members' statements, I have two items to reiterate. The hamlet is taking authority over housing issues. My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. They're having problems getting that straightened out in Sanikiluaq, since Sanikiluaq is taking over the housing authority. They would like to take over the budget of the housing authority. They have no idea as to how the funding is going to be distributed to the hamlet, whether by block funding or in small amounts. Maybe they can try to solve this problem they have, if the Minister of Municipal Affairs would straighten out this problem that the hamlet of Sanikiluaq is having. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

I've said on many occasions, with respect to the community transfer, that the communities should ensure they have adequate resources before they take these responsibilities over. I want to say that up front, that's my position and it continues to be my position.

With respect to the Sanikiluaq situation I don't have the actual details, but I want to ensure the honourable Member that we want to ensure there are adequate resources there, with respect to the transfer agreements, with the housing going on in the hamlet. I don't have the details of the dollars. Perhaps my honourable colleague to my right may be able to answer that question for you. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, supplementary to my question. The Sanikiluaq hamlet has been operating the housing authority. It used to be handled by the regional housing corporation, but now the transfer agreements are being handled by headquarters. They would like to have the budget straightened out as they are having problems in handling it. Now they can handle their own housing authority. Is there any way they can have assurances as to how their budget is going to be arranged through the transfer agreements? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My honourable colleague has advised me that there is going to be a meeting with the Sanikiluaq hamlet council on December 6, with some senior people from the housing corporation. In the interim, the housing corporation has authorized a direct payment of $100,000 until we can resolve the issue.

I want to assure the honourable Member again, that community transfers is a significant initiative in this government, fully supported by everyone in this House. We want to ensure that it is a success. It is our intention to meet directly with hamlet officials on December 6. In the interim, we have provided them with some cash flow to tide them over until we resolve the budget problem. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address my question to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs regarding the community transfer initiatives. There has been some progress made. The Minister of Public Works announced this morning some of the initiatives in the east and central Arctic. I know that in my constituency of Inuvik there have been some discussions and workshops held with the Inuvik community transfer committee. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the status of these discussions on community transfer initiatives between this government and the committee in Inuvik?

Minister Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I missed the last comment the Minister made. I know that there has been a framework agreement and an implementation agreement where the government departments are supposed to provide information on programs and services to the Inuvik community transfer committee. The Minister mentioned that this information is supposed to detail the services, the minimum standards and the finances required for the delivery of these programs. My supplementary question is, has all this information been provided to the Inuvik committee yet?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. If that's the case, I just want to ask the Minister responsible for coordinating this initiative, if information has not been provided is it because departments are unwilling or are they unable to provide this type of information through your offices?