Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [no translation provided].

Mr. Speaker, those who have housing are worried about overcrowding and its impact on family relationships, unmanageable arrears, debts carried over from family members who have passed away, and the difficulty getting repairs and maintenance done.

Those who cannot get housing wonder why vacant houses on the reserve have not been put to good use. Young people who want to live on their own have no choice but to live with their parents or leave the community. If they choose to leave, families are separated and traditional ways of life are threatened. If they choose to stay, they have to deal with endless waiting lists and bureaucracy.

Because of these long-standing and serious problems, it was good news earlier this year when the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation advised this House that the Housing Corporation was working on making 16 units available for people on the Hay River Reserve.

There can be no question, Mr. Speaker, that federal jurisdiction for reserve lands makes it challenging for the GNWT to address the problems of those living on the reserve. I was encouraged by the Minister's news that they had managed to negotiate and successfully obtain land tenure for 10 of the units and that they were entering a tender process to repair those houses.

Now that autumn has arrived, I am concerned whether these units will be available for access before the cold weather arrives. I am also wondering what progress has been made on land tenure for the remaining six units. Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that the day is coming when I no longer need to speak about inadequate housing on the Hay River Reserve. We are finally beginning the dialogue about strategies, proposals, and actions that will make adequate housing available for the people of the K'atlodeeche First Nation. I believe we can keep up the positive momentum, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.