Detail, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am a full supporter of northern purchases, using the Business Incentive Policy in other areas, but when it takes away from the people that I represent in the predominantly aboriginal communities of the Northwest Territories, I have to disagree with that policy. That is just for the record.

I would also like to ask, for the record, if the Minister would consider, in conjunction with the Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, to look at coming up with housing needs for people from the communities that have to stay near hospitals, near access to doctors that we do not have in the communities because of the doctor shortage not only in the Northwest Territories, but throughout North America. We need to develop plans like that.

To come up with plans depends on the numbers that they find to have homes in regional centers where there are hospitals for individuals that have to stay in a community to be housed there along with their family members. Most of the individuals would be elders and they would need somebody to take care of them. There are usually family members that are willing to do that. It does not have to be stand alone houses. It could be a program that could be applied to rental of apartments, whatever it takes. I would just like to get the commitment from the Minister on record that he will work with the Minister of Health and Social Services in creating a plan such as this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think we all know the importance of housing to all the people in the world. I think here, in the Northwest Territories, it is especially true in the smaller, predominantly aboriginal communities. The overcrowding issue is still a big concern. That was a concern ten, 20 years ago and it still is today. It leads to family breakups. It leads to people not completing their education. There is no comfort level and without comfort level, you cannot go beyond.

Knowing that it effects the education system, it effects all our social programs, social envelope programs, health and social services, income support, et cetera. It seems like it stems from the lack of housing. When you take the Business Incentive Policy and you have to apply the Business Incentive Policy, when you purchase materials to build houses, that takes away from those programs.

My understanding is if you buy packages in the North, it costs twice as much as when you buy in the south. Because of the Business Incentive Policy, you have to pay that much more. If you could just exclude the Business Incentive Policy from the Housing Corporation for the purchase of building material, my understanding is you could be building four or five more units per year in the Northwest Territories. I am just wondering if that is the case, according to the numbers that the Housing Corporation developed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is this government the people's government or is it the department's government?

He keeps saying the department is fine. The Members, on behalf of their constituents, keep saying the roads are not fine. There is a safety issue here. You cannot put a dollar figure on one human life. I would not like to see anybody crash and burn on that highway. If that were the case, then some heads have to roll here. Before that happens, I think the department should address the safety issue of that highway. I recommend the Minister drive down that highway so he has a good look at it for himself.

At the same time, he can help out the many residents who are filling those potholes with rubber and glass. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that. I appreciate that the department is going to have a look at it and I appreciate the commitment by the Minister. I would like to turn my attention to Highway No. 3.

The Member responsible for Highway No. 3 is not in the House, but I am sure she will hear about this. It is a safety issue. It does not matter whose constituents ride that road. If it is a safety issue, I think we have to deal with it. I have ridden that road on a number of occasions and it is rough. If people's lives are in danger, then we should address that. I am speaking particularly of the non-construction zone of Highway No. 3 between here and the end of construction. It is rough. Some areas are narrow and not passable. I think the people travelling that road, people predominantly from Rae-Edzo, Yellowknife and people from Fort Providence, a number of my constituents, use that road and are doing more in filling those potholes with the rubber from their tires and the broken glass from the windshields than the whole department is doing in maintenance.

I do not think that is right. I think the department should take an active role in maintaining that road while construction is still going on. The road is still being used at the same rate it was before. Just because there is construction going on further towards Rae does not mean they cannot maintain the section of road that is not under construction.

I think the Minister should assist the individuals who are maintaining the road with their rubber and whatnot by driving down the road and having a good look for himself, so he does not have to be advised by his department all the time when he is answering questions. He could give a personal reference to it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Knowing the fiscal situation of this government, the lack of financial resources of the department, there is not going to be chip-seal on that highway for a long time. I requested the department have a good look at certain portions of the road where the road is lower than the lake level, to look at some trenching to be done so the water can naturally flow. Can the Minister have a look at that? That will save a lot of dollars down the road in maintenance. It is a safety issue. Once we do have the money, we are almost ready to start chip-sealing in those portions. Has the Minister considered that and come up with any kind of decision on that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Minister used a word I would like to repeat, serviceable. Starting July 20, the population of Fort Resolution is expected to quadruple. Many of those individuals will be driving into the community. I would like to get some kind of commitment that the Minister is going to ensure that highway is given a good once-over prior to that date and maintenance for the rest of the month, in terms of dust control, et cetera. Can the Minister give me that commitment?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the record, Mr. Chairman, I would also like to speak about chip-sealing Highway No. 6 in Fort Resolution. I have asked the Minister and his department staff on a number of occasions, at a personal level in his office, in committee meetings, and in the House, so for the record, I would like to ask the Minister again in committee of the whole, can the department look at chip-sealing Highway No. 6? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we are scheduled for a break at 12:30 p.m. I recommend the Minister bring in his witnesses after the break at 1:30 p.m. for general comments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.