Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Northern construction activities, managed by DPW, can provide significant employment and training opportunities. I am committed to implementing new initiatives to increase the employment and training of aboriginal Northerners in the construction industry. DPW and other departments are supporting a construction worker training program designed for our younger people in NWT communities. The training could be certified by both Arctic College and the NWT Construction Association and would offer aboriginal workers a full range of construction skills training. We hope to deliver the program in association with planned capital projects in smaller communities.

Many of us as MLAs have lobbied for greater job creation and training of residents on local construction projects. I was successful in having government construction projects in my riding managed in ways that maximized the employment and training of residents. The department will continue to develop this community-centred approach to its activities.

We must look at each community's construction and maintenance programs for several years and put into place the resources to train local residents for the upcoming jobs and to prepare local businesses to participate. This will require greater co-ordination with other departments such as Education, Arctic College, Economic Development and the Housing Corporation. Communities will also need to be fully involved so that local benefits can be maximized from DPW activities.

Some construction companies may be worried that they might lost contract work as a result of these new initiatives. I am confident that we can involve the industry in this endeavour and that they can benefit, as well. The construction industry employs over 2000 workers annually. This includes over 1200 full-time tradespersons and almost 300 active apprentices. Jobs in construction can be long-lasting employment opportunities for many Northerners in the smaller NWT communities.

Before closing, Mr. Speaker, I would invite the honourable Members to call upon me with concerns that they have about DPW activities in their riding. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess maybe I did not phrase it right. That is what we are looking at, is the criteria. I realize it is too narrow, and we are trying to expand it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have asked my department to look into HAP allocation. There have been a lot of concerns expressed by communities, so we are doing that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to a question asked by Mr. Zoe on December 9, 1991, on the delivery of heavy equipment into Snare Lake by the Department of Public Works. This year the Department of Public Works has purchased a chemical fire truck, a front -end loader and a Honda ATV for Snare Lake. When the equipment was ordered, it was expected that a short access road would be constructed off the Neptune Resources, Colomac Mine winter road. This was the approach taken two years ago when the new power plant and three HAP houses were delivered to Snare Lake. The road construction and freight haul were done by a private contractor.

With the closure of the Colomac Mine, a much longer winter access road must now be constructed and options are being reviewed. The Department of Transportation is co-ordinating the review of the options for the winter freight haul and a decision is expected by the end of this month. That road normally goes in in January. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the government is very aware of the importance of proper housing in the Northwest Territories. Our severe climate makes it essential that everyone have an adequate place to live. Inadequate housing is often a contributing factor in poor health, failure of children at school, family violence and problems on the job.

As Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, I am fully committed to continuing and expanding the efforts of our government to meet the North's housing needs.

The government is strongly committed to encouraging home-ownership to foster pride and personal responsibility for the operation and maintenance of housing and reduce the dependency on government associated with public rental housing.

The HAP, home-ownership assistance program, has been positively received by most northern residents. There are, however, many residents who do not qualify because their incomes are either above or below the current income criteria. The government is committed to exploring ways and means to expand eligibility for HAP housing and to develop new programs if necessary to address the needs of those not covered by existing policies and programs.

As new housing must continue to be provided in every community of the NWT for many years to come, there are excellent business, employment and training opportunities available to our residents. To provide these opportunities will require close coordination and cooperation between the NWT Housing Corporation and the various government departments. The government is committed to having the construction and maintenance of housing carried out in a manner which maximizes employment and job creation opportunities for the local residents of every community.

Mr. Speaker, the government is totally committed to make northern community government, in the broadest sense, a reality. The people at the community level must assume greater responsibility and accountability for meeting housing needs. Decision-making must be at the local level if communities are to control their own destiny. Communities, too, must be allowed to establish priorities among the various services and programs which they are responsible for.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the support and strengthening of community government, the government closest to the people being served, must be given the highest priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will give him a copy of that plan.