Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about a housing initiative that could have significant benefits for the people in my region. The initiative is the reintroduction of sweat equity programs and the construction of log homes.
As Members know, in many territorial communities, there is both a housing and an employment crisis. This situation exists in my region, particularly in the remote communities. Last fall, I had the privilege of going to Tsiigehtchic with the Minister responsible for Housing and some of my colleagues from the Legislature. We examined the log homes built for elders through a training program. We wanted to know if this type of operation would work in our northern communities, and I think it would.
The mandate of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is to assist communities to assume the role of providing housing for the residents and to sustain northern economic development. By providing log homes, by building homes in the communities, we would fulfill the mandate of the corporation and serve our people by providing more affordable housing. We could create training programs for local people to build these homes. We can also create local employment, stimulate small business development and establish a housing market in small communities.
I think there have been positive developments in the area of housing. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Thank you.
-- Applause