Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has a number of programs that are intended to assist homeowners in keeping their homes in good repair. Many of my constituents qualify for this assistance.

The problem, Mr. Speaker, is that it is often difficult to get repair work done in some of the smaller communities, particularly those that do not have road access. There is no lumber or hardware store to purchase the needed supplies, for one thing.

For another, not all homeowners are able to do their own repairs, even if they did have the materials. Mr. Speaker, what these communities do have is a local housing authority that is responsible for public housing units. The authorities bring in supplies to fix the units they are responsible for and they employ people who can do the work.

The Minister of the Housing Corporation has stated on several occasions that programs need to be flexible in order to meet the needs of Northerners. Mr. Speaker, I am suggesting that such flexibility be applied in these cases.

I would like to suggest that the Housing Corporation consider making arrangements with the local housing authorities to carry additional materials and be allowed to assist local homeowners with repairs in the communities where it is appropriate.

This will save homeowners and the territorial government money in the long run, Mr. Speaker, by keeping homes in the proper order, even if they are not public housing units. You never know what the economy of a community is, but the individuals who are owners of their own home might be on the social envelope at any given moment. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the appropriate Minister. Thank you.

-- Applause