Caroline Cochrane

As stated earlier, we will be having a public process were people can bid. If there is an opportunity that they can bring us in a reasonable price, then we will certainly consider that option.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know at this moment, but I can get the numbers and actually give it to all of the MLAs so they'll actually know how many are in each unit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Through the RFP process, the successful proponents were from the South Slave, Beaufort-Delta, and the Sahtu. I can't identify right now, where they brought up these units from, although the successful proponents were from northern companies.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The tenders were put out by request for proposal, and proponents came in, people from the North and from wherever, came in and they submitted applications for this. We looked at the rates that were provided through stick-built and the rates that were provided by northern firms to bring up the mobile homes, and the 30 per cent was identified through that process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do apologize. Still I'm suffering from the flu so my brain is a little bit foggy still. The NWT Housing Corporation did try to increase it. It started at $25,000. It was increased to $50,000 to try to get more northern businesses. We still didn't have enough uptake with even increasing it to $50,000. Currently, though, we are negotiating. We are talking with northern manufacturing firms to see if we can get them within the next request for proposals that are coming out in the spring. We're trying to get them to actually be able to come forward and actually be more...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Housing Corporation did put all of these proposals for housing out to tender. Northern companies applied on them and were awarded, so it is northern companies that are actually bringing in these modular homes, and there was a significant savings compared to the stick-built proposals that were received. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Absolutely. As soon as we confirm any steps within the process, then we will let the committee and the Regular Members know. As soon as the information that I have is confirmed, then you will know as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The simple answer is yes, but I will expand a little bit on that. The territorial government is actually working in collaboration with the other territories, the Yukon and Nunavut. We have developed a tri-territorial business case to assist with our federal engagement. A conference call between the three territories is scheduled for tomorrow to confirm that, and to talk about any more decisions that we want to make. I'm also going to be meeting with Minister Duclos in Ottawa next week to bring forward our case and to emphasize on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many communities face challenges in providing programs and services to their people because of a lack of affordable housing. The lack of housing makes it hard to recruit and retain staff. Lowering the cost of living is one of the priorities of this Assembly and increasing the availability of safe, affordable housing is one of the key actions to advance that priority.

The private market is not adequately meeting the need for more affordable rental housing, particularly in rural and remote communities. This is because the development and ongoing management of...

Actually, I just got a package from upstairs and so there actually are 11 that are destined for Hay River, so I saved myself a trip for later. At this point, that's not under consideration. The NWT Housing Corporation will be procuring these units through a public process where local businesses will have the opportunity to submit a proposal. We have to keep in mind, though, with the serious financial situation that the NWT is in, the loss of the CMHC funding in 2032, that there may not be money for the operation and maintenance for public housing. So not only was the RCMP housing to support...