Mr. Speaker, Members will recall that last week I was able to travel to Ottawa and speak with the federal Minister. In addition, at that time, the president of the NWT Housing Corporation was able to meet with senior officials from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to discuss major issues.

--- Applause ... and possibly as much as $15 million to be used for housing in remote communities with a population of 2,500 or fewer people.

Mr. Speaker, this money must be cost shared by the NWT Housing Corporation on a 75/25 basis. That is, for every $75 the federal government provides, the NWT Housing Corporation must provide $25. Because this is one-time money, it is conditional that the money can only be used for work that is completed within the 1996-97 fiscal year. As I speak, the NWT Housing Corporation is working out plans of how this new money can be used on existing home ownership projects that can be delivered and completed this year without any requirement for additional grants from the Government of the Northwest Territories.

I am very pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement on this new federal funding for housing at a time when cutbacks and decreases seem to be affecting us all. This new money is much needed and will, in a small way, help alleviate the housing crisis we have in our remote, offroad communities.

As well, Mr. Speaker, these new housing dollars mean jobs in the North and needed support to suppliers and manufacturers. It is estimated that the $10 million will build 50 to 70 additional houses and will create the equivalent of 500 to 700 jobs during construction.

I must emphasize that this new money is only one-time capital dollars which must be used for home ownership in remote communities. While it is greatly appreciated and needed, it does not replace the proposed CMHC reductions in operations and maintenance of social housing which I informed Members about earlier. The NWT Housing Corporation will be facing these challenges in the next few weeks when other meetings are held with CMHC officials.

--- Applause