Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Allen.

Thank you. Any general comments for the Minister? Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would the Minister tell me where they get their products when they build homes in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Minister Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We follow the government policy, using the business incentive policy to procure all of the building materials. In situations where this government is funding the majority of the cost of the construction, we also supply northern manufactured products that are built in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you. Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is very good. I think there is a need to support the northern manufacturers and people who sell products in the North. Has there ever been a study done to indicate the difference in cost if the corporation went to a cheaper source for quality material, it does not matter where in Canada or the world? A cost comparison?

Thank you. Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In relation to the northern manufactured product, it is the feeling of this government that for a northern manufactured product, there are more benefits associated with using northern manufactured products. We have a preference of 25 percent landed costs on northern manufactured products. The products that you can purchase directly from the south could potentially be 25 percent less than a northern manufactured product. We do not think that it is, but there is the potential for that to be the case.

In recent tenders that have gone out, there was an actual northern manufactured product that had bid on an open tender, and they were the lowest price. Although that preference is there, it is possible that it is under that. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, I think it is 25 percent that is well worth it. Where does lumber product come from to the Housing Corporation? I am not aware of any manufacturers in the North that manufacture plywood and building materials. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Mr. Allen.

Mr. Beaulieu.

Could the Member please repeat the question?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Housing Corporation, in the business of providing homes to the people of the Northwest Territories, is in the business of purchasing large quantities of lumber; plywood and other lumber materials associated with the construction and manufacturing of homes. I am wondering if the lumber comes from the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On last year's construction project, we had requested that there be a supply of northern lumber. We were able to purchase all of the northern lumber that was available. With the balance of the lumber that was needed, it was supplied by a northern supplier, but it was southern cut lumber. All of the plywood is from the south.

Thank you. Mr. Nitah.