I think one of the most accessible programs that we delivered in the Northwest Territories where we don’t have LHOs or people basically still are pretty independent was the HAP housing program where people went out of their way. They cut their logs. They took the initiative on themselves. They got a lot. They basically went out, put sweat equity into this thing. They helped build the house. At the end of the day, they owned it. Yet, there was money there to deal with electrical
issues, deal with the mechanical stuff which was separate from the program. I think that, if anything, that is how we are going to have to meet those communities that don’t have LHOs, that don’t have a Housing presence. I think that a lot or most of those aboriginal communities are in the Deh Cho.
Looking at statistics, the Deh Cho is the most affected in regards to the latest survey that came out in regards to core needs and adequacy in regards to housing. I think that we have to look at programs that have worked in the past where people will actually put sweat equity into these units and make a go of it and, at the end of the day, make them successful. If you go back in the history of the Housing Corporation, that was probably the most successful program that was put in place where people actually… It was their home. They built it. They put time and effort into it. I think that, as a corporation, we have to look at the things that have worked. I think that a lot of the times government means well, but when you are telling somebody you have to go to the bank and get a mortgage for $250,000 or $300,000, a lot of people don’t fit in that bracket.
A lot of people in our communities, all they want is a simple dwelling in regards to having a wood stove and maybe a fridge and basically have simple necessities of life to maintain a household. I think sometimes the simple stuff are the most practical things for a lot of people. I would just like to know in regards to going forward as a corporation that we look at some of these initiatives that have worked in communities where people are independent, where they are self-reliant and, more importantly, they are still people in the communities who are very proud of that program. I would just like to suggest that that be something that you look at. Because you look at the statistics in regards to the needs survey, you can see where the biggest needs still are and biggest needs from what you look at in some of the Sahtu and the Nahendeh riding. You can tell a lot of those communities you are talking about don’t have LHOs. Look at Colville Lake at 95 percent. That is unacceptable.