Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon I will be tabling the first of a series of reports on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's 1996 Housing Needs Survey. This first report contains initial findings and analysis of housing needs in the Northwest Territories. I am releasing this report on the overall results for the Northwest Territories to emphasize that we still face a serious housing challenge.

Almost 25 percent of all households in the Northwest Territories have a housing need which they cannot resolve without some form of government intervention. This is two times higher than the rate for any other area in Canada. Housing need in the north has risen to 4,350 households from 3,500 in 1992. this has occurred despite this government's investment of $160 million in 1,435 homes since 1992.

Since the last Housing Needs Survey in 1992, the environment in which the corporation has worked has changed dramatically. Most important is the fact that our funding from the federal government has been significantly reduced. As you will recall, Mr. Speaker, the federal government began eliminating funding for new social housing back in 1993. Since then, the provinces and territories have not received funding for the construction of new social housing units from the federal government. Recently in Ottawa, I signed an agreement with the Honourable Diane Marleau, Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, to protect the funding we presently receive to operate the 6,000 social housing units currently in existence across the territories. However, the serious housing situation in the north remains and I will be bringing this issue to the attention of the new federal Minister at the earliest opportunity.

The next survey report will be published and sent to all Members in July and this report will outline individual community profiles. However, it will not just contain the number of households in need. The report will also outline possible solutions to address this need. I look forward to working with each member of this Legislative Assembly on the situation in each of their communities.

The Corporation will now be able to use the 1996 Housing Needs Survey to help each community to develop plans to help solve their specific housing needs. This will be done in close cooperation with local housing organizations and municipal governments. The Corporation will develop unique solutions to each community's problems.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my deepest thanks to all of the employees of the community housing organizations who went door-to-door doing interviews for this survey. Without their co-operation this survey would not have been possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.