Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
The change in season reminds us how important it is to secure an adequate, affordable, suitable home. Hundreds of Northerners depend on our public housing system for this shelter. It is a constant source of challenge for our governments. These challenges are frequently debated in this House by MLAs.
I believe that the Northwest Territories would be better served if the Housing Corporation became a department of our territorial government. As a department, the Housing Corporation would prepare full government business plans and have the support of our intergovernmental resources. Core need in our communities is directly related to infrastructure planning. Preparing and being involved in our business planning process along with other infrastructure expenditures would help determine how to best spend our scarce infrastructure dollars. We would be more proactive in our approach to the decline in funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Core need is steadily on the rise and we need to reverse this trend as quickly as possible. The department also reports directly to the Assembly. Therefore, there would be greater accountability and oversight in how the Housing Corporation operates, resulting in greater transparency. There would also be an opportunity to address the old arrears and get them off our books once the NWT Housing Corporation is dissolved.
In certain ways the Housing Corporation is already similar to a department. Members review its annual business plans and reports, and have regular contact with senior officials through the Minister. Restructuring the corporation as a department would not come at a significant cost, I believe. It is an opportunity to streamline our system, leading to greater savings in the long run.
As a government we should constantly strive for ways to improve our services to Northerners. We need to look beyond our four-year term and make changes that will benefit people over a longer period. Restructuring the Housing Corporation into a department is a viable option and one that is worthy of the 17th Legislative Assembly’s consideration.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
