Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2016-2017 Main Estimates for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. The Main Estimates propose a budget of $146,907,000, an increase of 2.6 per cent or $3,780,000 from the 2015-16 Main Estimates. The budget includes a contribution of $81,702,000 from the Government of the Northwest Territories for 2016-17. These estimates continue to support the objectives of limiting expenditure growth in order to sustain the long-term sustainability of the fiscal framework.

Highlights of the proposed estimates includes:

● the addition of $16.6 million in new federal social infrastructure funding aimed at public housing replacement, repairs and renovations to Northwest Territories Housing Corporation rental housing, single units to address small community homelessness, semi-independent Housing First units in emergency shelters, repairs to family violence shelters and third-party social housing, homeownership repairs and other minor capital repairs;

This federal funding includes:

● $1.1 million for replacement and modernization and improvement projects to seniors’ public housing;

● $3.5 million in strategic initiative funding for RCMP housing;

● forced growth of $164,000 related to northern allowance for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and Local Housing Organization employees;

● sunsets of $700,000 for energy efficiency initiatives and $5 million in capital funding to support public housing renovations;

● reprofiling of $578,000 of the new federal funding to the Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements program; and

● reductions of $435,000 to the Providing Assistance for Territorial Homeownership program.

The proposed Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18thLegislative Assembly. Specific activities in support of these priorities include:

● building more seniors’ supported independent living units;

● marketing preventive maintenance, renovation and mobility upgrades to let seniors age in place;

● support Housing First, address the high demand for singles’ households, and review homelessness supports;

● implement community-based housing property management services;

● rationalize public housing utility structures to promote self-reliance;

● support land requirements for new housing investment;

● develop options to support Aboriginal and local governments in meeting the housing aspirations of their residents; and

● improve the energy efficiency of public housing.

That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.