Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then would the Minister kindly advise this House if $18.3 million in new program monies will be made available to the developers and other people in pursuit of housing? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to remain consistent with my Member's statement. I am

going to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation if the NWT Housing Corporation is still actively involved in the development of a mortgage investment corporation as part of Cabinet's overall strategy for the 15th Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and fellow colleagues. Mr. Speaker, these are just a few positive steps this government should consider in the overall strategy to improve the programs in the system of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. It should take a script from the Norwegian State Housing Bank which administers housing allowances that allocate the families with children and retired people with low incomes and who endure hardships and other areas of economic ability to pay for, such as high power rates.

Mr. Speaker, I hope this helpful advice will be taken seriously by the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation which contributes to the government's overall strategic plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly glad to see that the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation has made a fine statement in the context of housing demands in the Northwest Territories. I am going to preamble my Member's statement by reading a Minister's statement by saying, "Housing continues to be in high demand, especially in the growing and developing economy. This presents us with many challenges and to meet these challenges, the corporation will work closely with residents at the community level, Members of this House and the business community." And, second to that, "The corporation continues to foster emerging housing markets, strengthen its partnerships, and develop more housing opportunities."

Mr. Speaker, it seems like the Minister has some sort of intuition when it comes to housing, so I want to follow that through with my Member's statement by saying that my electoral district of Inuvik Twin Lakes consistently stresses they need to make progressive changes in our socioeconomic policies with emphasis not only in revising policy. In the context of the Minister's statement, one area we need to begin to develop is a mortgage investment corporation for the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the first step in trying to achieve a mortgage investment corporation is to seek legal advice as to whether an NWT mortgage investment corporation requires a charter of its own. It may only require a clear definition of its powers.

Mr. Speaker, we feel that a mortgage investment corporation with lending powers that will stimulate a fast approach to the construction of adequate and affordable priced housing. If a trend analysis methodology which will be used is an indicator, this will not only allow for more individuals to purchase homes, but also includes the development of a housing market and a positive benefit for the building sector as well.

Mr. Speaker, my study of housing across the circumpolar world touches Norway. The Norwegian State Housing Bank provides sole support to its policy about providing loans and grants. It provides purchase loans, personal loans and various grants. Loans and grants are primary...(inaudible)...through municipalities.

I know the NWT Housing Corporation has already provided this level of detail through its homeownership programs, but certainly from an economic investment perspective, it remains a costly subsidy. I may remind Members that it is a costly subsidy.

Further, Mr. Speaker, the MIC will also be an investment arm to provide professional staff housing under section 24, paragraphs (1)(f) of the NWT Act. This would provide for an economic initiative for other department staff who rent or buy directly from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, May 31, 2004, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that the Premier immediately signal to the people of the Northwest Territories, to this Assembly and to the Prime Minister his intent to pursue provincehood for the Northwest Territories; and further, that the Premier begin immediately to seek the support of provincial Premiers for the Northwest Territories to become a province; and furthermore, that the Premier report back to this Assembly

on his progress during the fall session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that was one of the very few initiatives that had potential for NWT residents in terms of affordability. It also had merit in the sense that the costs would be reduced. I am going to ask the Minister again if he is prepared to re-enter into those forms of negotiations and discussions with those proponents that will see affordable housing delivered to the people of the Northwest Territories outside of existing programs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I memorized that line as well, but my question is in the context of social impacts on residents of the Northwest Territories brought on by industry, diamond mining, oil and gas. Mr. Speaker, it's in the context of affordability. I was glad to see the Minister has afforded the initiative for removing the BIP for economic housing. Precisely what kind of mitigation is the Minister prepared to do to ensure the continuation of the liaison between the proponents, and is he willing to give the residents of the Northwest Territories affordable housing once projects are completed and once his department would like to entertain in terms of the redesign and also the engineering of those homes so they can be moved from a camp setting to the community at a reduced cost to those who are prepared to buy those units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. This morning I raised a very important question to the Minister of RWED with regard to the impacts the industry will have on the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, transitional housing and homelessness is one of the major social programs that will be impacted. The Member stated that he will work with other departments to try to mitigate those impacts. Also in the 14th Assembly, we worked very closely with several proponents to try to eradicate the high cost of delivering housing to NWT residents and one of the areas was to try to pay the premiums on the development of housing, which would be a turnover to the Government of the Northwest Territories completion of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. I would like to ask the Minister this morning what the status report is on whether he has followed up on this initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that, because I think the teachers of those who teach northern culture would be very pleased that the Minister had responded positively. I just wanted to ensure that he continued to work with his curriculum consultants, that teachers may broaden their teaching modules so that it may be extended right from K to 12. It enhances the post-secondary component of our education system. If I could get that commitment from the Minister, would he make that in the House today? Thank you.