Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will get the statistics and the numbers for the Members. As far as why it is such a success or why it is such a failure, that would be to each individual Member's opinion as well as individual deputies. As a government, we will come up with a position on that as well. We have committed to the Members of the Legislative Assembly to work with them on the Affirmative Action Policy review. The majority of the work, compiling the information to present to the proper committee, is already done. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Premier. Mr. Morin, do you wish to give your opinion?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you know, I do not normally stand up to give my opinion. What I will say is we do have 12 deputy ministers in the government right now. Some of those deputy ministers are aboriginals, some of them are long-term northerners. They all do an excellent job. It is made very clear to the deputy ministers we are looking at ways to increase the number of affirmative action in all areas of government. I want to see plans on how we can do that. Whether it is right or wrong, I will not comment on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Mr. Speaker, could I put my question off for a moment? Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be directing my question to the Minister responsible for recreation and recreational facilities. This question was asked by Hall Beach residents in regards to dog team races. They would like some information on funding available for winter festivities for dog team races. How do they receive the funding to pay the winners? Do they apply to the Minister of recreation? Thank you. (Translation ends)

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the recreational program, of which I am responsible for under MACA, I believe you are referring to the dog team race from Arviat to Rankin Inlet. The Dog Mushers' Association organized it under the chairmanship of Harry Towtongie. They also have their own membership from Keewatin communities who received the funding themselves. It was not organized by this department, it was organized by the dog mushers themselves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps they have their own rules that they follow. The representative from Igloolik said they had rest stops everywhere along the route even before the dogs were tired. Perhaps the dog team guidelines were set up by the government or someone else. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Ms. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MACA was not involved in this race. It happened before my term as a Minister. I remember listening to people from the Rankin Inlet hamlet council meeting where they organized the way the race was going to be set up throughout the Keewatin. There is a group called Dog Mushers' Association. They set up the arrangements and guidelines for that race. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be to Mr. Arlooktoo regarding Plan 2000. I just happened to look in a book and I found a comment that is sort of appropriate and it says "do not be afraid of opposition. Remember a kite rises against, not with the wind." Mr. Speaker, I have obtained the Plan 2000 and we are not hitting the target with it. Let us establish a few basic facts. The housing crisis or shortage exists in level two-three communities. They have the highest unemployment, the least developed economies and private sector markets. They are, Mr. Speaker, the poorest communities, least likely to have many income earners between $50 thousand and $90 thousand per year.

You can walk into a chartered bank and secure a residential mortgage, even with a Down Payment Assistance Program. My question to the Minister is, with a birth rate that is presently three and a half times the national average, will the government, after its three year program, be able to continue to build these number of units in economies that are not yet established? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I would have to admit I do not know what will happen in three years time. What we are doing is trying to deal with a crisis situation where we have hundreds of families who are underhoused or living in homes with other families. We are trying to ensure new homes are built for those that can afford to pay their own bills, freeing up the social housing units that are severely needed. Whether or not we will be able to afford to build new houses down the road will depend on whether or not the federal government will be funding us for those. They have made it really clear they are getting out of the social housing business.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would respect the Minister's comments that he does not know what is going to happen in three years time. I would suggest his department should have some type of planning in place for five years. I think the people of the Northwest Territories demand their government have something in place for a five year plan. I will direct that question to the Minister. What plans do they have for longer than three years if these housing units are short up to 6000, if the birthrate does continue and the government still tries to provide housing? What plans does the department have for a five year period? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.