Mr. Speaker, we’re just in the process of finalizing our housing needs survey and that goes a long way in evaluating how our programs fit the specific target groups that were mentioned by the Member. If we need to adjust our programs and that, to meet some of the needs, this is our opportunity to do so. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the appeals mechanism was implemented just recently and we really haven’t had time to evaluate it yet. Once we do, though, we will be providing that information to the Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re currently working on our strategic plan and we’re looking to have that released very early, and this will identify some of the progress that we’ve made to date on some of the recommendations from the Auditor General. Once we have that done, we will be sharing it with Members of this Assembly. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, again, the housing needs survey will go a long way in determining the needs of some of the communities in the Member’s riding, and we use this as an opportunity to adjust our programs and services and concentrate on some of the priority communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will be undertaking an evaluation of the programs in 2010-2011. We had originally intended on doing it this year, but we spent those resources making some adjustments to programs because of affordability issues. I have also directed the department that the evaluation used to identify gaps between programs and some recommended solutions for those gaps. Thank you.

Thank you. I’d be pleased to join the Member and other Members from smaller communities in touring some of their operations and getting a feel for how the Housing Corp is running in their community and what best we can do to improve the services we provide to the clients. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The review is being done as we speak and we’re looking to see the results of this review. Of course, we are listening to the concerns of all the people out there with some of the issues they’re having with the transfer responsibilities. So the review is done. Once we see the review, we’ll have a look at it and plan a course of action from there. Thank you.

I’d be more than pleased and I do intend on visiting some of the smaller communities to hear a lot of their housing concerns and some of the challenges that they’ve been faced with, with the implementation of the assessment being moved over to ECE. But it is my intent in the next little while here, to meet with a lot of the smaller communities. Having worked in a smaller community in housing for 23 years, I’m well aware of some of the challenges that they face. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in May 2008 I announced to Members that Municipal and Community Affairs would be leading the work on capacity building initiatives at the local government level, in full partnership with the Department of Human Resources as well as the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories.

Today I would like to provide Members with an update on the details of this exciting initiative. However, before I do, I need to thank our key partners in public service capacity building: the NWT Association...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In February 2009 I spoke to Members about the challenges that community governments face as they assume increased authority and responsibility. The skills required to manage and govern a local community in the Northwest Territories have expanded significantly and many community governments are challenged to recruit and retain capable staff.

Capacity challenges are not just limited to small communities. All communities can face capacity challenges at some point and capacity is not static. A once stable, well functioning community can be challenged after a turnover of...