Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee was generally satisfied with the 1998-99 main estimates as presented by the corporation. Except for revisions due to additional programs being taken on from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the numbers matched those already reviewed by the committee during the consideration of the business plans and five-year capital plan.
The committee made note of the following issues during its review of the 1998-99 main estimates of the NWT Housing Corporation:
The committee believes this is a worthwhile program and applauds the corporation for EDAP's development. As with any new program, there are always glitches that need to be addressed after the first year. The committee was pleased to be informed by the president of the Housing Corporation that there will be a Housing Corporation senior manager's meeting in December to examine the program and make the necessary adjustments. The banks are a major component in assuring the success or failure of the EDAP Program. The corporation is encouraged to maintain a close working relationship with the banks and keep them apprised of any changes to the program.
The committee looks forward to being informed as to the results of the senior managers' meeting on the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program and reviewing the recommendations made as a result of this meeting.
The committee would appreciate being kept informed as the progress on the agreement being negotiated for provision of property management services by the corporation for Public Works Canada. When finalized, the committee would like to review the terms and conditions of the agreement.
The committee has noted the corporation's decision to delay implementation of the third stage of rent increases for social housing, pending a review. The committee would like to be involved in the final decision-making process.
The committee was concerned that the Housing Corporation might not be factoring the cost of production of traditional arts and crafts when determining the rent scale for a craft producer. The committee understands that it is a difficult task to monitor the amount of money made in traditional pursuits, however it does seem unfair that those who are honest in reporting their income, pay higher rent than those that do not report their true income.
The committee was pleased to learn that the corporation is developing a plan to deal with mortgage insurance. Committee members are aware of instances where the untimely death of the principal wage earner has resulted in hardship to a family accessing one of the corporation's home ownership programs. The corporation is to be commended for their compassion in dealing with the families and the solutions they have worked out. The committee is pleased that the corporation realizes that there must be an affordable mortgage insurance plan to ensure the economic survival of a family after the death of a principal wage earner.
The committee was pleased to learn that the Minister has had several positive meetings with the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and that he feels the Minister is starting to realize that many of the health and social problems that exist in the Northwest Territories are due to the shortage of adequate and affordable homes for our people. The committee strongly encourages the Minister to pursue further his efforts to obtain the necessary funding to deal with the critical housing needs in the north.
The committee sought clarification on the criteria for determining which communities have or will receive new refrigerators over the two years of the program. A preliminary review by the Members of the committee indicates discrepancies in the numbers. The Minister indicated the refrigerators in social housing units in the NWT were all purchased in the mid 1980s and those fridge replacements in the east (Nunavut) would be complete at the end of the 1998-99 fiscal year. With only six communities in the western NWT scheduled to receive refrigerator replacements before division, it is apparent to the committee Members that this will become a division issue.
The committee is pleased with the approach the corporation has implemented to phase out the Rural Remote Housing Program. The committee believes that if the corporation can rationalize all of the programs that it administers and make these programs fair and equitable, it would go a long way to restoring harmony in some communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.