Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.

Three years ago we were getting the $49 million for the year from the federal government and now we don't have that money from the social housing program. We are getting funding for that from within the existing pot. Yet, the PYs remain the same. We seem to have streamlined the program, we are getting less houses, yet the PYs remain the same. Has the department ever looked at that? We are trying to see where we can save money so we can build more houses. You have a lot of PYs there, the figure has remained the same. If we could cut that figure down, maybe we could see more special units built in places like Iqaluit.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have managed to do a lot with a lot less. With the same amount of PYs we have managed, without an increase, to redesign all our programs and redesign the construction. We've changed the way the Housing Corporation does business in the north. It is very simple for a department to go to tender on capital projects. We now do rent supps, we do negotiated contracts and project management. The whole way we deliver our capital projects has changed in the Housing Corporation. I'm quite proud that the Housing Corporation has been able to do that with the same amount of PYs they've had in the past.

We also have done a lot more community consultation. We're consulting with people, taking people to the banks, we're helping them get into their own homes and pay for their own homes. So, I think I agree with the Member that we've been able to hold the line at 156 PYs and we've done a fairly good job of it. We are in the process now of looking at restructuring and after we've finished the restructuring process so that we deliver our programs more effectively than we are today, then there may be some savings. I'm not saying there are going to be, but hopefully there will be. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under human resources, one of the objectives is to participate in the implementation of a comprehensive framework for local housing organizations and community government to take on increased authority and accountability for housing programs. I notice that's mentioned throughout your activities. I'm wondering under what context that is as far as increasing authority to local housing associations?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're looking at the community transfer program and transferring more responsibility for the programs to them and the dollars to go with it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Minister to be a bit more specific. What type of programs? Right now they undertake the maintenance of the public housing inventory. Are you talking about some of the construction aspects and that type of thing? What other categories? Thank you.

Everything, including construction, maintenance as well as program delivery, home ownership program delivery, the works.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I think when the government's community transfer initiative was announced, many communities and bands were interested in acquiring control over local programs and housing seemed to be a natural. I know, since I attended some meetings of chiefs at the time -- one in particular in Rae that I think the Minister also attended early on in the process -- that there was a great deal of interest expressed by chiefs in taking over housing.

I would just like to ask the Minister, since the time that the CTI policy was announced as a major initiative of the government -- I think two years ago now -- how successful has the government and the corporation been in turning over and devolving housing programs to communities? How many communities has that happened in? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess, in actuality, none since that time. There are several communities working on it. I believe the furthest ahead is Cape Dorset. But, the Member has to realize that our communities are very, very busy. They are all involved in negotiating land claims, treaty entitlements and a lot of other issues in the communities. When they find time, I guess they will be taking over housing. Thank you.

Is it possible, Mr. Chairman, that with all the effort that's been spent within the corporation on some issues -- and I know there have been good results in designing new home ownership programs and in scrambling to deal with the federal funding shortfalls -- that the corporation has not put the attention on community development and development of housing associations and authorities that it might otherwise have liked to have made, if those issues hadn't been such a distraction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No. We've responded to every community request that we've received to date. We've responded to every one.

Mr. Chairman, I would just like to note for the record and for the Minister's attention that until its sudden dissolution by the Government of the Northwest Territories, the mayor and council of the town of Iqaluit were interested in taking over housing. Some steps had been made, with the Minister's help, in appointing the mayor and councillors to the Iqaluit housing authority.

This is something that had been pursued for a number of years by the town of Iqaluit. I would just like to make a comment, Mr. Chairman -- it's not really a question -- that once democracy is restored in Iqaluit -- which I hope will happen soon -- I'd like to see the corporation continue to purse this initiative with that community. I think they are committed to taking control over housing. It ties in with their already having the responsibility for social services. I think it would be another good community in which to show that devolution can be successful. Thank you.