Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one question regarding the opening statement that the Minister made. Before I go into that, I just want to remind the Minister and the department, I believe that when the government sets a policy, I do not think there should be discretion on which the government civil servants can use their own discretion.
I understand all circumstances are different, so you have to work with the facts of each case. I believe the policy is there for the employees to follow, so the clients know what they are dealing with. If there is a problem with the policy, the course of action should be to change the policy, not those who are supposed to implement those policies and follow those policies, changing them or adjusting to fit their condition.
I also believe that if the government is providing money to people to help them buy houses, that government should have the right to attach some conditions to say that if we are funding 50 percent of this project, we require you to buy local. That is not just in Yellowknife, you see it in every single community.
I do not believe that is always the case. The costs here aren't always higher. I think that is the biggest stereotype that the manufacturers and northern businesses have to fight. You will see that when you go talk to the northern business people. They are often very competitive and they know the northern conditions and they know what the northern requirements are.
I just cannot say enough about the importance of the department following that policy. If there is something wrong with that policy, the government should change it, but as long as the policy is there, it is for everyone to follow.
My question, Mr. Chairman, is a small question that arises out of listening to the Minister's opening statement. It is in particular the last paragraph of his statement which peaked my curiosity and interest. In the last paragraph, the Minister says:
"This conclude my remarks, Mr. Chairman, except to say how important it is to have a single agency dedicated solely to improving housing conditions for all of our constituents."
I find that interesting, in light of the fact that it comes on the heel of the previous paragraph where he talks about four regional offices that have been created. Now I am interested in this paragraph because I think it is a vision statement of some sort. The Minister is saying what is important to him or it is sort of dangling for me to ask questions. I do not know if the paragraph was meant to inform us or to challenge us to think about what he is saying. Perhaps, the Minister just wanted an opportunity to elaborate so that he did not have to write another ten pages explaining why. I just want to give the Minister a chance to explain what he meant by that.