Mr. Speaker, we are also paying increasing attention to the important role played by community governments in the Northwest Territories. The annual general meeting of the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities was held in Fort Simpson on May 24th. This meeting was attended by a delegation from the Government of the Northwest Territories, led by the Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. The delegation included Ministers Ootes, Handley, Steen and I.
At that meeting, the Government of the Northwest Territories acknowledged that the member governments represented by the Association of Municipalities are the front line providers of programs, services and support to all residents of the 33 communities of the NWT. We acknowledged the essential role that community governments play in delivering programs and services to NWT residents.
Because of the importance Cabinet places on building strong relationships with communities, I have agreed to meet with the executive of the NWT Association of Municipalities to hear firsthand the Association's concerns and to engage in dialogue with them at their next executive meeting.
As well, the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, has traveled to at least ten communities to discuss general housing concerns. By working in partnership with community leaders to address housing issues we are supporting the development of local solutions to housing problems. Minister Allen is also working on the development of a Seniors' Housing Strategy, the initial stages of a subsidized Singles Housing Initiative, and he is exploring cost-shared social housing initiatives with aboriginal organizations.
As promised in Towards a Better Tomorrow, this government is committed to working in partnership with all governments of the Northwest Territories as we work together towards improving the lives of all residents of the Northwest Territories. Today, I want to reconfirm our commitment to partnerships with community governments and to ensuring that their concerns will continue to be considered and addressed by this government as we move forward with our agenda.