Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present, to the Legislative Assembly, the 1998-99 main estimates for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
We have requested a total contribution of $98.7 million, $43.5 million for capital programs and $55.2 million for operations and maintenance. Both figures are slight increases over last year's capital funds of $43.2 million and operations and maintenance funds of $55.1 million. Over $200 million will be spent on housing in the north this year when we include Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation contributions.
With the money included in these estimates, approximately 700 projects will be delivered under the Plan 2000 initiative. Mr. Chairman, this government is committed to promoting and supporting northern manufactured goods. The contract conditions of the Housing Corporation ensure that northern labour, goods, services and contractors are utilized, creating jobs and economic activity in the communities.
As the Honourable John Todd announced in his budget speech, an additional $40 to $50 million will be forthcoming from the government over the next two years for the Accelerated Home Ownership Program. It is expected to provide home ownership to 1,000 additional families in the next two years.
There are a number of benefits under this initiative:
- The Housing Corporation will serve more clients under the Expanded Down Payment Assistance and Independent Housing Programs. These programs have been very popular, with the number of applications significantly exceeding what the Housing Corporation can provide and;
- Even more low income families in the north will have the opportunity to move into social housing units made available by higher income tenants who become homeowners. Also, any GNWT staff housing units made available, because the occupants choose to become homeowners, will be transferred to social housing, thus increasing the social housing stock.
- Mr. Chairman, as I said in the House, the 1996 housing need's survey showed that there was a core housing need of over 4,300 households. Many of these are aboriginal families. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development did not make any commitments to help solve the housing problems in the north in their response to the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, denying the north new funding that aboriginal people in southern Canada will receive for housing. The GNWT decided we cannot wait for the federal government to provide assistance to deal with our growing housing problem. Therefore, the GNWT has stepped in to provide innovative solutions through this initiative.
As I stated previously in this House, I am pleased the corporation has developed a western Arctic affirmative action plan. This $300,000 initiative will create four affirmative action training positions in the western Arctic. The program will be aimed at developing managerial skills in potential affirmative action employees, who can then seek employment in the new government of the Western Territory. The program also promotes increased training amongst existing affirmative action staff in the corporation. Mr. Chairman, those are my opening remarks, I will be pleased to answer any questions. Thank you.