David Krutko

Minister of Housing.

Okay if we can move to page 5-43, corporate summary, operations expenditure summary. Again this is an information item.

I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We had a great opportunity to improve the quality of services in the 33 communities of the Northwest Territories. I’m talking about the stimulus funds, infrastructure funds, and Building Canada Funds. Out of the information that’s been provided, only 14 projects have been approved. A lot of the communities were not able to take full advantage of this program, either because they do not have the capacity to take it on or they don’t have the resources to match the 50 percent that’s needed to match those funds.

I think it’s critical that a government that’s responsible to...

Minister of Housing.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. We don’t have anybody else on the list, so I’ll allow the Minister to respond to the Member’s general comments.

My question was how soon we can see this change take place and delete that line item or remove the reference to ECE so it is referred to as it was before as public housing rental supp. How soon can we see that change take place regarding your budget line item?

Before I move on I’d just like to recognize some people in the gallery and thank you for coming today as we take part in the procedures. Welcome to the House.

---Applause

We’re on page 5-47, executive, operations expenditure summary. Any questions? Agreed?

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Minister, can you introduce your witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I note that there’s the Education, Culture and Employment public housing rent supp. I’m just wondering if that would be changed to simply refer to the public housing rent supp and remove the wording “Education, Culture and Employment” and how soon are we going to see that change.