Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last October, the NWT Housing Corporation asked northern businesses to indicate their interest in supplying made-in-the NWT building components for the corporation's housing units. Madam Speaker, the response from northern manufacturers was very positive and encouraging.
In 1994-95, northern manufacturers will be providing more building components for NWT Housing Corporation units than ever before. This increase in volume will also generate new jobs in the manufacturing industry. The following northern manufacturers have been awarded multi-year contracts: Fibreglass North of Yellowknife will supply water and sewer tanks. This will create up to 11 new jobs. United Furniture of Hay River will supply doors and frames and will mean four to five new jobs and Arctic Front Windows of Hay River will supply windows and create 8 new jobs.
What is more, Madam Speaker, these northern manufacturers are able to supply quality products for less than six per cent higher costs than southern manufacturers. The total value of these contracts is $1,982,805 for 1994-95.
In addition, Madam Speaker, there are some building components now available from more than one northern manufacturer. The 1994-95 building program of the NWT Housing Corporation specified that certain components have to be supplied by northern manufacturers. The results are as follows:
-screw jacks will be supplied by Paul Brothers Welding of Yellowknife and Back Bay Welding of Yellowknife;
-fuel tanks will be supplied by Paul Brothers Welding of Yellowknife for the western Arctic and Kitikmeot communities;
-fuel tank stands will be supplied by Back Bay Welding of Yellowknife and Bearard Welding of Fort Resolution;
-cabinets will be supplied by Igloo Building Supplies of Hay River, using MC Woodwright and Sunrise Cabinets of Hay River. In the east, cabinets will be supplied by Frobuild Construction of Iqaluit; and,
-trusses will be supplied by Northern Homes 3000 of Yellowknife.
The total value of these contracts is $803,000, Madam Speaker. This is less than six per cent higher than it would cost to buy these items from southern manufacturers. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the men and women in the northern manufacturing industry. Their investment efforts are creating jobs and generating economic benefits for their communities and for the northern economy as a whole. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
---Applause