Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there are two unorganized communities in my constituency. They are Umingmaktok with approximately 60 residents and Bathurst Inlet with 22 residents. These unorganized communities have no official recognition under GNWT programs as they have no local council to represent them. Their interests are addressed on an ad hoc basis through the Cambridge Bay regional offices of the GNWT. They receive basic government services. Health services are provided via a lay dispenser through radio contact with the Cambridge Bay Health Centre. Bi-monthly health clinics are held by health personnel from Cambridge Bay and annual visits are carried out by dental and eye teams and by the regional physician. Social workers visit the communities on an annual basis while monthly social assistance requirements are attended to on an automatic basis. Over the past several years, housing needs through the NWT Housing Corporation's alternate housing program have addressed some of the housing requirements for residents of Umingmaktok.

However, Madam Speaker, the residents of Bathurst Inlet have been ignored with respect to housing needs. Most of the five existing housing units are over 25 years old. Two units are old northern rental units written off by the Cambridge Bay Housing Association and shipped to Bathurst Inlet in the late 1980s. Of the units constructed in the community, the most recent was completed in the early 1970s. All of these units are in poor condition requiring major upgrading or replacement to meet current residents' needs.

Madam Speaker, I urge the Minister of the Housing Corporation to extend the availability of this program to residents of Bathurst Inlet in order to address their housing needs. Koana.

---Applause