Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Bill Braden on February 10, 2006, regarding the GNWT Diamond Strategy.

1. Is the newly announced marketing venture with the diamond cutting/polishing/jewellery manufacturers a partnership, and how much money will each party contribute?

The "Rare in Nature" diamond marketing campaign is largely a private sector funded initiative involving cash and in-kind contributions from a number of interested parties. The GNWT is managing and facilitating the delivery of this initiative on behalf of the parties.

Key players involve the diamond cutting and polishing manufacturers here in Yellowknife, as well as a number of agencies and businesses. The manufacturers, through the GNWT Diamond Certification Program, provide upwards of $200,000 in cash, while the other parties provide between $300,000 to $400,000 in cash and in-kind contributions.

2. What are the objectives and tasks of this strategy, and will the department be reporting results to the Assembly on a regular basis?

The objectives of the "Rare in Nature" marketing campaign are to:

• • position the Northwest Territories as a diamond centre;
• • facilitate the development of the diamond industry in the NWT to provide business, investment, training and employment opportunities for NWT residents; and
• • increase the demand and add value to diamonds that are mined, cut and polished in the NWT.

Reports on work undertaken will be provided to the Legislative Assembly on an ongoing basis.

3. How much revenue will the Diamond Certification Program generate?

It is anticipated that future revenues will be similar to those received in past years.

To date, the GNWT Diamond Certification Program has generated revenues as follows:

2001-2002 - $41,278

2002-2003 - $39,262

2003-2004 - $130,020

2004-2005 - $24,735

2005-2006 (to January 31, 2006) - $149,099

Total to January 31, 2006 - $384,295

Mr. Speaker, I am also in receipt of a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya to the Honourable David Krutko, Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation on February 3, 2006, regarding housing in the Sahtu.

What is the latest assessment of core need of housing in the Sahtu?

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, in conjunction with the Bureau of Statistics, completes a survey of housing needs in the Northwest Territories every four years. According to the 2004 NWT community survey, 28 percent of households in the Sahtu are in core housing need. However, all communities, with the exception of Norman Wells, face core need in excess of 30 percent:

Colville Lake - 76 percent

Deline - 42 percent

Fort Good Hope - 37 percent

Tulita - 36 percent

What types of NWTHC programs are committed solely to elders/seniors?

The Housing Corporation has several programs designed specifically for seniors. These include:

• • Senior Citizens' Home Repair Program
• • Elders on-the-Land Initiative
• • Seniors' Preventative Maintenance Initiative
• • Home Adaptation for Seniors' Independence.

The corporation is currently undergoing a consolidation of homeownership and repair programs and will no longer be offering programs specifically designed for seniors. Seniors will be eligible for all programs under the new system.

Who in the Sahtu region have taken up the manufactured homes since they were brought in?

All units installed in the Sahtu under phase one of the market housing initiative are now occupied. In the community of Tulita, two units have been rented by teachers and a third has been sold. In Fort Good Hope, one unit is rented by a teacher and another by the Yamoga Lands Corporation. All five units in Norman Wells have been rented by professionals working in the community. Manufactured homes installed in the Sahtu under phase two of the market housing initiative will be ready for occupancy in February 2006.

When will the NWTHC begin regional discussion with our region on the concept of Novel manufactured homes?

The Housing Corporation has committed to participating in a Sahtu regional housing forum to be held later this year. The corporation is prepared to discuss the use of convertible workforce housing at that meeting. In addition, a model of a house developed using ATCO's Novel housing design is planned for construction in Norman Wells later this year.

How many homes did NWTHC sell to community members and what programs were used to assist them?

The Housing Corporation sold one home and constructed 10 under the Independent Housing Program, and sold one home through the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program in 2004-2005. In 2005-2006, the NWT Housing Corporation built three homes through the Independent Housing Program and one through the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program. The Housing Corporation has also sold one unit in Tulita through the market housing initiative.

What plans are in place to design new, affordable, efficient-heating homes?

The Housing Corporation considers energy efficiency to be a key component in the design and construction of new homes. The affordable housing initiative, a strategy to deliver 530 new units over three years, will provide new, affordable, energy-efficient homes in communities across the NWT.

Energy efficiency will be a key component of the Housing Corporation's business over the coming years. Electricity, heating fuel and water must be used more efficiently in public housing in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce utility costs. The use of new technologies to improve the energy efficiency of homes is an important way to reduce shelter costs for homeowners.

The corporation continues to use innovative technologies on a pilot basis. Examples of technologies currently being assessed are high-efficiency residential heating systems, grey water recycling, and the use of solar preheating.

In 2005, the Government of Canada announced an extension to the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, RRAP, dealing specifically with improvements to the energy efficiency of homes. The Northwest Territories is expected to receive additional funds to complete energy retrofits in 2006-07.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question.

Agreed.

Agreed.