Mr. Speaker, today I rise to update the Legislative Assembly on upcoming housing meetings in regional centres.
Over the next couple of months, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation will be conducting housing market forums in three communities. The dates and locations are: March 28th in Inuvik; March 30th in Hay River; and, April 4th and 5th in Yellowknife. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is assisting CMHC with the planning for these meetings.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the housing market forums is to bring together housing industry stakeholders to provide market updates and to generate discussion and feedback on this information. CMHC has continuously gathered housing market data for Yellowknife. For the first time, CMHC has collected specific information on the emerging market housing communities of Inuvik and Hay River and this baseline data will be presented at the forums.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will also be conducting regional housing workshops in Fort Simpson and Norman Wells in late March. Representatives of CMHC will be in attendance and I will be working with Mr. Yakeleya and Mr. Menicoche on the planning of these meetings. These workshops will stimulate discussion on community and regional allocations and will help communities focus their housing decisions. The Housing Corporation will consult with communities on significant housing issues, such as the lack of available and suitable land and the processes required for land development.
Mr. Speaker, housing needs are one of the foremost priorities of communities. These housing meetings provide opportunities for housing industry stakeholders to work together in exploring housing solutions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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