Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to discuss devolution. Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, devolution has been happening since the creation of this government. Slowly, the federal government has been transferring the responsibilities for areas such as the social programs to the Northwest Territories government. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, social program responsibilities are not seen as too romantic. It is problematic and for that reason I believe the federal government has no problem transferring that responsibility to the Northwest Territories.
We have argued time and time again that they continuously have not provided adequate financial resources to coincide with the responsibilities that have been transferred. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, as a government, the Northwest Territories is practicing that same method of devolution. We also devolve a lot of responsibilities to regions and communities. Those responsibilities are responsibilities that the federal government has devolved. Again, Mr. Speaker, we argue in the House, as Members representing individual communities and regions, that there are not enough financial resources to go with those responsibilities. Health boards are a good example.
Now, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is talking about devolving more responsibilities in the areas of housing, in the form of harmonization and partnership agreements. Those are not done yet. There have been major concerns raised to us as Members in the communities regarding the harmonization. I am wondering if it is consistent with the mandate of the Housing Corporation. I wonder if the universal partnership agreement will have sufficient resources if communities agree that is the process they want to take. I will be asking the Minister of the Housing Corporation questions on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.