David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are doing exactly what the Member is stating. We are working with the private sector through loan guarantees. They are building units here in the city of Yellowknife. In regards to that market, we presently have loan guarantees with companies here in the city of Yellowknife which basically are in the retail business. We are open to that business with any other corporation that is out there. There is that program that is there to stimulate that segment of the economy through these loan guarantees.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to the one for housing, we did a needs survey which identified that we do have a major problem especially when it comes to affordability of housing, but most importantly the investment to increase the amount of housing in the Northwest Territories. In Yellowknife we see a lot of development happening where the private sector has stepped in. They have taken a lot of slack off in regard to ensuring that they have a thriving industry in regard to the retail industry in providing housing for the residents of the larger sectors. What we also see is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now a lot of programs that we do deliver are programs that we administer on behalf of the CMHC. A lot of the direction we do get is federal programs. We just administer it on behalf of the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. I have had a meeting with the federal Minister of Housing. We did discuss looking at the whole mandate of the corporation and look at restructuring it, as we heard in regards to the address by the Prime Minister and also from the Governor General in the Speech from the Throne. Basically, it was clear that housing is...

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors’ gallery and recognize the Honourable Peter Lougheed, former Premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985. Some of Mr. Lougheed’s achievements are he’s a member of Queen’s Counsel, Honourary Chief of Thunderbird Cree Indians, Honourary Chief of the Blood Indians, and also Queen’s Privy Council of Canada and companion of the Order of Canada. It’s a real honour to have Mr. Lougheed with us today. Welcome to the House and welcome to the Northwest Territories.

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I would also like to recognize a former Speaker of the House, Mr. Tony...

Thank you, Mr. Bell. I would like to welcome the Members back to the House. I hope you had a nice spring break and visit with your constituents. I would like to welcome Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

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Mr. Terry Foster.

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Before we get going, I would like to read a statement. I would like to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories: “Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2004-05, during the Third Session of...

My colleagues, I would like to direct your attention to the visitors’ gallery, to the presence of former Speaker of the House, former Member of the House, Mr. Tony Whitford. Welcome to the House.

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I would like to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day. At this time, I would ask you to join me in wishing the Minister of Health and Social Services a very happy birthday. All the best.

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Item 2, budget address. Mr. Roland.

Reverend Williams, could you lead us in prayer?

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I wish to inform the House that I received the following message from Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories: “Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise and recommend to the Legislative Assembly the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2004 during the First Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Glenna Hansen, Commissioner.”

Merci beaucoup, mes amis. Honourable colleagues, drin gwinzii and good afternoon. I wish to express my gratitude for the confidence you have demonstrated by choosing me as your Speaker. It is with a great deal of pride that I accept the honour of being your Speaker for this, the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

My first obligation is to give you my commitment to ensure that the rights and privileges of all Members will be upheld and to ensure you are each able to carry out your duties.

The most important and fundamental right is the freedom of speech in your debates and...