Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi is ill and will be absent from the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jim Antoine will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the Western Aboriginal Affairs Ministers' Meeting in Victoria.

In the absence of the Premier and Deputy Premier, I will be acting for the Premier and will take any questions Members may have today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to announce that the three northern territories have reached agreement with the federal Secretary of State for Amateur Sport on a new pan-territorial sport strategy.

On February 22nd, the three territories concluded discussions with the Honourable Paul DeVilliers on a funding arrangement that will allow us to increase participation in amateur sport at every level and in every community in our territories.

The agreement includes funding for the current fiscal year, which will help us to lay the groundwork for full development of the strategy over the next year. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that Sport Canada will contribute $178,000 to the three territories this year for the development of the strategy. The Government of the Northwest Territories will receive $106,000 of this new funding.

The new strategy will support the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs in our goal of encouraging northern residents to be more physically active and to lead healthier lives. It will also enable us to increase our efforts targeted at ensuring that residents in all our communities have the opportunities to participate in sporting events.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the following elements of the strategy for which planning is already underway:

• • the Esteem Team, a role model program that uses high profile athletes to make inspiring and educational presentations to youth, will visit six communities. Over the next three years, the team will make presentations to every school in the Northwest Territories;
• • in cooperation with the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic, we are contributing to a traditional Dene games camp to be held in Fort McPherson this weekend. In the future, we hope to work with the circle and Sport North to increase the quality and number of multi-sport camps, and make them available in a larger number of communities;
• • in cooperation with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, we have promoted active living activities in schools across the Northwest Territories for Education Week;
• • to encourage our high performance athletes, we will make a contribution towards the hosting of the Western Canadian Ski Championships which will be held in Yellowknife next month. Over the next three years, we will provide more opportunities for high performance coach and athlete training through clinics and camps;
• • the Kidsport fund is a national charity that raises funds to provide equipment and participation fees for children who would otherwise not be able to participate in sports. In partnership with Sport North, who manages this program in the NWT, we will work to increase awareness of this excellent program.
• • finally, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that the Northwest Territories is taking the lead for all three territories in the development of coaching resources to promote traditional sports including Inuit and Dene games, Inuit wrestling and dog sledding. The new strategy will allow this work to continue at an accelerated pace.

Mr. Speaker, the pan-territorial sport strategy provides an excellent opportunity for us to work with our many partners to increase opportunities for participation in all our communities. I would like to acknowledge the support of Secretary of State DeVilliers, who met with us in Iqaluit last spring and since then has worked hard to make this new program a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is incumbent upon us as elected Members of this Assembly to point it out when we see a demonstrated need in our communities and come up with a plan or programs to eliminate the situation. Mr. Speaker, one such program that would fill a void in Hay River is the independent housing program currently offered by the NWT Housing Corporation in various communities. This program assists low income families with housing needs to obtain a modest home. There are three market communities in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, that being Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River. However, the independent housing program that enables families to purchase homes is only offered in Inuvik and not Hay River. The argument that if the independent housing program operated in Hay River, it would cause market disruption does not wash with me, Mr. Speaker. We need to find a way to meet the needs of social housing market clients. The Housing Corporation's 2000 NWT housing needs strategy clearly identified that Hay River has a significant number of households in core need, 182 to be exact. I am sure that number has risen since the survey was conducted.

Mr. Speaker, one solution to the question of market disruption is to build into a client's mortgage a caveat whereby they would have an investment in the home and thereby pose no risk to the corporation of selling the home for less than market value. This would protect the financial investment and equity of private market homeowners. Mr. Speaker, it has always been my belief that this government should support homeownership and we should be promoting the idea of helping people to help themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard there are a number of people in Hay River who are out doing the right thing and earning a living for their families. They are falling through the cracks. Mr. Speaker, some of these people are single mothers who are able to qualify through a commercial bank for a mortgage, but are turned down by the Housing Corporation simply because their income is slightly below the core need income threshold of $48,500, disqualifying them from the Housing Corporation's expanded down payment assistance program.

Mr. Speaker, I believe there is something inherently wrong with our system when we can do nothing for people with a lower income other than to encourage them to apply for public housing. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I hear any nays? No, I don't. You have consent, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. In Hay River, Mr. Speaker, we need a program that will fill in the void created between public housing and households that have a slightly lower income than $48,500, but would still be able to support a home. The independent housing program is a program that we should have in here, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to make a Member's statement regarding the elders in the Territories and how news gets around fairly quickly, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, in this House, the issue of harmonization was raised and before the day was done, I had a message that someone wanted me to call them back soon and making that call, I was told quite straightforward about their concerns of what they were hearing this government was planning to do.

Specifically, Mr. Speaker, I was told to remember what elders have done for our communities and continue to do today. Mr. Speaker, they continue to help out families by taking care of grandchildren, by still helping out family members, their own children today. They continue to have a productive part in our society through many of the elders' groups that are established in the communities and by spreading on their traditional knowledge in schools or through workshops in the evenings, put on by the cultural groups. So they have a very significant role to play.

Mr. Speaker, when the message of the harmonization was mentioned in this House, I had a concern raised to me: what is this and what are you doing again to the elders? Mr. Speaker, it was put to me quite bluntly. Why should elders pay for the mismanagement of funds by our government? They feel that they've produced, they've put into our communities across the North and they feel that they have done their share and why at this late stage are we going back to knock on their door and put bills in front of them.

Mr. Speaker, I'm torn between the realities we are faced with as a government and what is happening to our constituents, but I feel I must raise this concern on behalf of the elders in my constituency and hope that the government will look at these issues because the comment made was, if you are going to take what we earn as elders, if there is sewing and so on as extra income, and start counting that towards their rent, then be ready to pay on the social end when elders start having to pay all this other money and can't afford to help take care of their own children and grandchildren. Thank you.

---Applause

Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I once again want to voice my concern, my opposition to the harmonization initiative and the direction that the NWT Housing Corporation has taken towards the treatment of seniors and the students of the Northwest Territories.

In review of the standing committee briefing, it was stated that a quick random sample of 14 communities was taken to obtain feedback, which the Housing Corporation confirmed, and I quote, "the reaction we are getting is very positive." Low income single parents, who have been told their new rents are going to be affected April 1st are very anxious about why a rent increase is going to take effect. Mr. Speaker, I know when I have to pay more for services, I get quite anxious, I certainly don't get excited.

The consultation process appears to have been very ineffective in small communities and I suspect in the larger centres as well. The majority of the tenants are not aware of the long term and the full impact that the harmonization will have on their rents. Under harmonization, the tenants will be required to declare winnings from various gaming schemes, such as bingos and lotteries, incomes which are currently exempted by the NWT Housing Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, my concern and the concern of the Aboriginal constituents is the obligation that the federal government has with respect to housing for Aboriginal people. It appears that somewhere in the transfer of funds to the GNWT, the federal government has tried to absolve themselves from the responsibility of providing housing to Aboriginal people. The NWT Housing Corporation, in turn, appears to be slowly turning public housing into a business and is losing site of its intent, which is to provide affordable housing based in part on federal government responsibility to Aboriginal people.

Mr. Speaker, it appears from the last sitting of the House, the NWT Housing Corporation does not take the concerns raised about the harmonization initiative seriously. It appears the implementation has been certain and to provide justification for this certainty, some consultation has taken place and we're expected to believe that tenants are happy and they are happy to see that their rents will be increased. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Deh Cho is seeking unanimous consent. Do we hear any nays? No, I don't. You have unanimous consent, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I suggest that the implementation of the harmonization initiative not be considered until such time as the full and long-term impact has been made clear to all seniors and students or, as an alternative, the factoring in of incomes of both seniors and students be deferred.

Further, Mr. Speaker, it is important that the NWT Housing Corporation revisit its mandate and its responsibility to Aboriginal people based on the federal funding for housing before attempting to push an initiative such as harmonization on Aboriginal constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Members' statements. Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to bring a bulletin from the finish line of the Canada Winter Games in New Brunswick. NWT skiers again show their skill and strength, Mr. Speaker. Two more medals were earned this morning. Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith...

---Applause

Yeah, let's give them some applause! Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith brought in the bronze in the women's 10 kilometre pursuit race, and Mike Argue from Yellowknife also added a bronze in the men's 15 kilometre pursuit. Mr. Speaker, Mike adds this to the silver medal he fought for from among 60 competitors on Monday in the men's 10 kilometre classic ski race. This makes three medals for the NWT contingent, so far. It's the first win that we've had at the Canada Winter Games in 20 years and I am especially as proud to carry this news, Mr. Speaker, as Mike who is with his parents John and Marsha down in New Brunswick. The thrill and excitement of the moment at the finish line shrieking through loud and clear at the finish line when John phoned me with the news this morning... And did I mention that the Argue family are constituents in the riding of Great Slave? Both Sarah and Mike won't be coming home right away, Mr. Speaker. They are going on to other national and I believe international events for the NWT and for Canada.

Over the next two weeks, this week and next week, Mr. Speaker, the NWT contingent of 72 athletes, coaches and support staff will be competing in eight games and their numbers include a three-person arts delegation. We are proud of all of them for doing their best and for representing the NWT so well, Mr. Speaker.

I have a little bit of time left here, and it is perhaps no coincidence that these wins for the NWT coincide with the news we hear from Mr. Steen, the honourable Minister for sport in the NWT that we have a new deal, a substantial deal to help us with our sports strategy across the North and I am really looking forward to what this $106,000 is going to do here over the next three years, including the ski team, which I'm sure that Sarah and Mike are going to be part of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Members' statements. Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about some of the broader issues affecting the way our government operates and some of what may seem to be new trends. These subtle changes in the way we do business may make perfect sense to the people who are involved firsthand, from a front row seat. But, if not communicated well, people are left to speculate as to their significance. Better communication on the part of this government is necessary. I am referring to the questions which were recently raised concerning the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Gwich'in and the creation of a new regional director's position in the Beaufort- Delta. What surfaces in the MOU seemingly sets off a few alarms and triggers some debate is the involvement of an Aboriginal government in the GNWT capital planning process and first dibs on 50 percent of the government contracts let in that region. The press release regarding the creation of the regional director's position at almost the same time clearly indicates that this office will be responsible for coordinating communication and activities amongst the various levels of governments in the Beaufort-Delta. This position was filled, not through conventional GNWT hiring practices, but in consultation with governments in the region.

For years in the North, we talked about political evolution, Aboriginal self-government and First Nations governments assuming more responsibilities and authorities in their respective regions. Therefore, when we start to see movement on this front, it should not come as too big of a surprise. However people in the public who follow politics and even some of us who have sat around debating the options of constitutional reform and governance models for many years sometimes picture these things in a fairly abstract versus specific way. So let's just analyze these recent announcements in light of previous precedents, good process practices and maybe in terms of how better communication might have put them in the context of a continuum of change that's been actually going on for years.

First, on the issue of having an Aboriginal government involved in this government's capital planning process, it's been the practice of this government to notify municipalities and local leaders of their intent for capital projects for some time now. It has been done in an attempt to determine if there is agreement on what priorities for equipment, renovations and capital infrastructure are for people who are served by these programs and facilities. Consulting with an Aboriginal government is the very same thing, only perhaps with a more regional perspective which is good for many reasons. No community is an island or stand-alone. That what is available in the region, would or could be devolved to smaller communities is a very important lens. Capital planning is a process. We may have views about who should be doing it, deputy ministers, Ministers, MLAs, but bottom line, Mr. Speaker, it's a job that needs to get done. Thank you. I will conclude this statement tomorrow. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

The Member for North Slave is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I hear any nays? No, I don't. You have unanimous consent, Mr. Lafferty.

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to reiterate something I have been pursuing the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on over the last few days in the House and many months prior to that. It has to do with the student financial assistance for post-secondary students with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, currently those students with disabilities who manage to get into the conventional post-secondary educational institutions are covered under the student financial assistance. There is also a separate grant to meet extra needs. The concern I have is with those students with disabilities who work just as hard to obtain education that would make them fully employable and maximize their human potential, but not in conventional post-secondary institutions as recognized under the SFA.

The department has taken the position and continues to maintain that some of these institutions do not qualify as a post-secondary education. This is in spite of the fact that in July of last year, the SFA appeals board ruled to the contrary in reversing the department's decision. The board determined that: "based on the evidence, the transitional vocation program is a post-secondary school education for the purpose of the regulations." Mr. Speaker, I believe that this was the right decision and before looking into the interpretation of the SFA regulation section 12, that is in line with the general principle and the intent of the act itself.

Rather than respecting the decision and adjusting the policy guidelines accordingly, the Minister and the department decided to do the opposite. They have decided to dismiss the board's decision and treat it as though it's something erroneous and as a misinterpretation of the act. In doing so, Mr. Speaker, the Minister continues to exclude them from the SFA and by way of grants to NGOs, but this is not sufficient. This is, in effect, telling them that they are not equal. They are not as valued as those students without a disability. This also is effectively placing their future at the whim of the government policy and government financial stability of the day.

Mr. Speaker, this is wrong and I call on the Minister to revisit his position and make it right. I ask him to send a strong message that the students with disabilities are entitled to and deserve an equal place and treatment under the law; that we stand behind them while they go through inclusive schooling and beyond; that they have a place in our law and our regulations equal to that of every other student who struggles through the post-secondary education and into their working life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the following Hay River North residents who have made the long trip over here from Hay River today as members of the Diamond Jenness Handbell Choir. I am sure Members will agree with me that they did a fantastic job. I would like to recognize Amanda Butler, Katy Garrison, Kari Williams, Kayla Gostick, the choir director Ms. Jennifer Tweedie and their two chaperones, Dixie Butler and Louise Gostick. You did a fine job and welcome to the Legislature.

---Applause

Thank you. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of this fine group up here, some of them are my constituents. I would like to recognize Jennifer Taptuna, Bryson Asels, who should get an award for being the only guy in the choir...

---Applause

...and Cori Bourne.

---Applause

Also, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Bob and Jennifer Decker who are here from my riding and they are here to observe their nephew who is paging in the Assembly today.

---Applause

Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize all the people who haven't been recognized. Thank you for coming today and I wish the people all the best in their travels. Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have some questions trying to seek more information regarding the harmonization issue for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I would like to know -- since this was initially pulled back last year and there has been some work done to bring it forward again and some of the numbers have changed -- if they have gone out to further consult with the groups across the Territories, specifically with elders.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our functional role in the overall issue of harmonization is to communicate to communities and the tenants that there will be some rent restructuring effective April 1st when the implementation date is scheduled to occur. We have been communicating that through the LHOs to what they agree and that has been disseminated into the community. I will ask our officials to give us a proper response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister inform us if every group or LHO is delivering the same message? Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there was a communiqué developed to ensure that each LHO is consistent in their message. There was a number of procedural information items provided to each LHO that they were supposed to be communicating that to not only the seniors, but also the students and also the regular tenants. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform us if the Housing Corporation itself has done any further consultation with those groups across the North? Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As of yesterday afternoon, when one of the questions raised to the Premier, I went up and called our department to inquire and I have been informed that there are ongoing consultations with community groups as to how much follow-up there is or has been, but I will ensure that as long as we proceed with this policy change, I will continue to work with all officials and LHOs and I will ensure that information is provided to each tenant.

Thank you. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the harmonization initiative. Last session I asked this question of the Minister responsible for harmonization and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment answered. I will let the Minister responsible for that program answer this question. As part of the federal transfer of funds to this government, I have been contacted by several of the chiefs in the NWT that wanted me to state that there is an obligation in there to provide to the Aboriginal people in the North, and housing is part of that obligation. For some time now, the federal government has been trying to absolve themselves from that obligation by building it into the formula funding for this government. We, in turn, seem to be moving away from that mandate. Can the Minister tell me if this harmonization initiative is within the mandate that we've inherited by taking in the federal dollars? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The harmonization program is not a federally funded or federally driven policy change. That's the government policy. Our responsibility is to implement the policy changes and, therefore, Mr. Speaker, we have continually worked with the stakeholders in trying to address the key questions and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that we have decided which Minister is going to take the lead on it. I am also happy to hear that this is this government's policy. That's clear now. So I would like to ask the Minister if he could tell me, could he define for us what is the principle behind this bill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the policy was to set out an equalization of those who can afford to pay and also those who receive support from this government to ensure that we have a harmonized approach when we equate incomes and that income is equated through how they would assess rents based on that income. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for years, this government and the federal government have encouraged Aboriginal people to move away from their houses into social housing and encouraged people to move into the communities. It's always stated that we would provide them with affordable houses and, in many cases, Aboriginal people are very cautious and didn't want to do so, but they were reassured that they would have houses. Now we are telling them that you are going to have to start paying, and your Aboriginal rights no longer matter. Our students are going to have to pay rent based on their income. We don't have an alternate plan for seniors to move out of their social housing into independent housing. There is no program in the smaller communities. I understand there's been a program in Inuvik this year in the Minister's riding. I don't believe that's available in my riding. We are trying to get students back into school. We are trying to get more students involved in post-secondary school. How does this program fit in with that? How does this program help us bring more students to college?

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to take some time to respond to this because I think it's important that people are aware that we do have an affordable housing strategy, and a seniors' housing strategy was developed in the year 2000 that would put 96 senior units on the ground in the life of this term. We also wanted to introduce a singles' housing strategy that would also address the singles' needs and we have done that. Also, we amended or else we've introduced or modified existing housing policies that addressed 16 different programs delivered through the NWT Housing Corporation. We have deliberately gone into all the communities to discuss housing issues, raise the profile of the Housing Corporation, raised the profile of the LHOs, raised the profile of the housing needs and my evaluation to date is the fact that there has been a serious lack of follow-up. I must say that we have gone and worked diligently with all the Members of this House to address all the key local housing problems. Hopefully with the approval of the affordable housing strategy, we will put some 761 housing units on the ground within the next four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to agree with the Minister that there has been some breakdown in the line of communication. I don't believe it's been clear what the whole harmonization initiative is all about and that hasn't been relayed to the communities. I am glad there are units available, 96 units available and I am hoping we will see some in my riding. There has been no consideration taken in for social conditions or the actual conditions of the units. Many seniors are very upset about that. My final question for the Minister is in light of the fact that many seniors want to move out of social housing and into independent units. How many of these 96 units that he's building will be in my riding? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The base of the allocation was made in the year 2000, based on the housing needs survey. Yes, as we go along and we find there is a great demand for seniors or singles, then we address that at that point. Each year, through our allocations, we have been able to deliver a number of units throughout the Northwest Territories and it's based on demand and on need. I am certain, Mr. Speaker, that according to the information we have, we have delivered a number of different housing projects in each Member's riding. We have not been doing this indiscriminately. We want to make sure that the Member is aware that we have given every community equal opportunity to participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 7, oral questions. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the Minister had a good day in the House yesterday. It seems like we are picking on him today. As I indicated in my Member's statement, there has been a demonstrated need in Hay River for the Housing Corporation's independent housing program, or the IHP for short. The delivery of the IHP program in Hay River would go a long way in eliminating the demand for public housing and to create options for lower income households that currently fall between the cracks. I am totally in support of this program being implemented in Hay River and it would not create any market disruption, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister please indicate to this House why the IHP program, that would allow lower income families to purchase or build modest homes, is offered in quasi-market communities such as Fort Smith and market communities such as Inuvik but not in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

I must first of all thank the Member for Yellowknife South for being so gracious to me yesterday. Now I see I am paying the price today. Mr. Speaker, as I expressed earlier, I have continually worked with all communities to ensure that one of our 16 programs would fit the needs of that community and I am prepared to evaluate the outcomes. If the Member needs more independent housing programs in Hay River, yes, we may be able to modify the expanded assistance down payment program to meet the IHP demand. We are prepared to balance the level of delivery we do in that community. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, based on the Housing Corporation's 2000 NWT housing needs survey, there were 182 households in core need in Hay River. The criteria for acceptance to purchase or build a home under the independent housing program is a household income between $24,000 and $48,000. There are a lot of households in Hay River that would qualify for the IH program, but it's not offered in Hay River. Would the Minister please indicate to this House if he is aware of how many households could be helped in Hay River if the IH program was offered and, of that figure, how many are the Housing Corporation having to turn down because the IH program is not offered in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have the specific numbers with me, but I want to make the Member aware that besides the IH program, we also have a mortgage assistance program that we offer to clients who may fall through the cracks. We have been working with several of those clients and we will continue to do so. The important point is that this mortgage assistance program assists loans for new construction or purchase of existing property, extensions, renovations and repairs related to health and safety and energy efficient devices. That is another program that I am not sure has been communicated widely, but that's another option to our IH program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I am not mistaken, that program the Minister is talking about was able to help three clients in Hay River last year. They were the only ones who fit into that program. So the needed program in Hay River is the IH program. Mr. Speaker, if there is a caveat built into the independent housing program to protect the financial investment and equity of the private market, it stands to reason the program could be introduced in Hay River to help those in core need. Will the Minister agree to institute the independent housing program in Hay River thereby assisting a large number of low income households in Hay River to obtain modest housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, more than likely I am prepared to recommend and suggest that we reprofile some independent housing funds to facilitate other means of delivery and construction, and I agree that we may be able to institute some of those next fall. But we do continue to support the high school home builders program and have delivery models that are affordable to manage IHP clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad for the Minister's answer on that and I assume that the Minister is not taking into consideration and then introducing this program in Hay River and causing market disruption and he is prepared to move forward on the IH program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to do that on a case-by-case basis. I think we need to really evaluate the clients' needs and certainly, in respect of what the Member is saying, I certainly want to sit down with him as well as our district office to ensure we are not causing any market disruptions through the introduction of the IH program in the community. Thank you.

Item 7, oral questions. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation to tell me what the Housing Corporation's responsibility or mandate or obligation is to the Aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories through the treaty process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under our social housing agreement, the Housing Corporation provides...We mentioned the level of funding received through the federal contribution program, with our matching dollars to support all housing developments, including the public housing in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason the Aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories, people with treaty status, can't acquire federal funding money that is allocated to Aboriginal people on the reserves and off reserves in the South is because they tell us it's rolled into the dollars committed to this government. The Minister in his answer never mentioned any obligation. His department doesn't seem to have a mandate, obligation or responsibility to people in the Northwest Territories. I would like to repeat my question, if he would answer and tell me what the NWT Housing Corporation's responsibility is to the Aboriginal people in the NWT.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We continue to provide an essential service to all residents of the Northwest Territories, including those who qualify under treaties. Also for the Aboriginal people, we do provide essentially a number of dollars each year. We are also looking at continuing to improve and keeping up the quality of housing to all residents. I think it's important to note that we do have appropriations each year that provides for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, by the answer the Minister has given me, I am convinced that the Minister feels that there is no difference, no obligation, between an Aboriginal person and a non-Aboriginal person when it comes to housing. I beg to differ. I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider deferring the harmonization until he's had time to sit down and meet with an organization of chiefs or the Dene Nation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I may refer to Hansard 95-14(6), the question was raised to the Premier and I alluded to that earlier. The Premier will be addressing that with all Cabinet Ministers once he comes back healthy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just a clarification. Are you deferring the question to the Premier? Mr. Allen.

Mr. Speaker, no, I am not. I am referring to the question posed to the Premier dated yesterday and I believe it will be discussed between Cabinet colleagues to provide an answer to the Member's question. Thank you.

Just a clarification to the Minister. Minister, you can answer the question or take the question as notice or not answer the question. You cannot defer a question to someone who is not in the House. Either answer the question, take it as notice or don't answer the question. Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the clarification, I will discuss it with my Cabinet colleagues and respond back. Thank you.

Clarification, are you taking the question as notice? Mr. Allen, are you taking the question as notice?

Mr. Speaker, I will discuss it further with my colleagues.

Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure the Members of the House will agree it's been difficult getting answers from the Minister regarding the harmonization initiative. In the statement and in some of the briefings, we've had all kinds of claims that were made about this program. Since the Minister is not answering my other questions, could he explain to me where these people are who he claims are so excited and happy to see that they are going to get a rent increase and they can't wait for it to come into effect? What part of the NWT are they from? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am going to have to rule your question out of order. It's not within the framework of your original question. Your original question was based on Aboriginal obligations to housing. Could you restate the question, Mr. McLeod? Item 7, oral questions. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and it's with regard to the statement I made earlier. Mr. Speaker, during our debate of the budget for Education and in particular discussions about the government's position on student financial assistance for students with disabilities, the Minister mentioned that this government gets $1 million from the Government of Canada and because of that, we have to follow the definition of post-secondary education in accordance with that policy. So I would like to confirm with the Minister that it is, in fact, $1 million that we get from the Government of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, it is $1 million, I understand.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the budget that we discussed, there is $11.813 million that's been allocated by this government toward that program. Could the Minister confirm why it is that when we spend $11 million and the Government of Canada gives only $1 million that we have to adhere to their policy and not do our own thing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Canada student financial assistance program is a federally funded program that goes to all provinces and territories and they apply certain guidelines, rules and regulations to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that. I have been told that. But why is it that we are putting in $11 million of our own money? Why can we not make our own laws and regulations about that $11 million we are putting in? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's to keep the integrity of the program and it's consistent with every other jurisdiction across the country, including the other two territories. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What about the integrity about this government's position that we treat everyone equally and that we believe in equality, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, the Minister still has not answered why, when we are putting ten times more than what the Government of Canada is putting into our student financial assistance program, why can we not make our own law and why does the Minister not understand that he has the power to do that?

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have concern for all students, no matter what level they are at. The student financial assistance program was designed to be consistent across the country. We adhere to that. We also provide student assistance of $8,000 for those persons who have disabilities. We increased that from $5,000 to $8,000. That's for the SFA program. Additionally, we've set up a $100,000 program to support the Council for Persons with Disabilities and, through that program, students looking for alternative types of programs can access that and we have the assistance of the council for that. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, this government didn't partake in the federal program, employment assistance for persons with disabilities, which is perhaps one of the unfortunate things, but they didn't partake in that because the funding that would have been received from it would have been clawed back. We are looking at revitalizing that, Mr. Speaker, and that can add a lot of availability of funding for the type of program that Ms. Lee is referring to. I think it's important for us to pursue that and to ensure that we do get that type of funding to fill those kinds of voids, Mr. Speaker.

Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Lafferty.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.