Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to inform this House that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have reached agreement on an extension of the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, better known as RRAP, for another year. Through RRAP, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is able to repair northerner's homes to meet acceptable levels of health and safety.
Through this partnership, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will complete $460,000 in home repairs during 2006-2007. Through RRAP, the corporation can also carry out home renovations that will increase energy efficiency. Perhaps more significantly, RRAP also contains components that provide assistance specifically to meet the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities to improve accessibility and increase the ability of these residents to lead independent lives.
I have been informed that the Government of Canada is considering extending this program over a longer term. Along with my colleagues in other provinces and territories, I will be lobbying the Minister responsible for CMHC, the Honourable Diane Finley, to express our desire that funding become permanent.
Mr. Speaker, RRAP is one of several successful homeowner repair programs delivered by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
The ability to renovate existing homes to improve health, safety standards and energy efficiency is a critical part of our efforts to provide adequate, suitable and affordable housing to our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause