Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I ask my question to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. As we all know from the information provided, this government is going through some difficulties with resources, and we all know there's a high demand for affordable housing all across our communities in the territory. My question is: in taking advantage of the new federal plan and announced infrastructure dollars available, is our Housing Corporation applying to access federal infrastructure social housing funding? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.
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.
Could the Minister advise the House as to the application in some detail, how many units are being applied for, and which region they are going to?
At this moment, I won't be able to provide that information. We're just going down to negotiate and to talk about the need that we have within the territories, and to advocate that it not be based on just base funding, that it actually be base plus, so that they take into account the low population that we have and the vast area, and the lack of infrastructural needs. Once we have done that and we find out what the budget is when it’s released, then we will be advocating and specifying where the monies would be going.
My question is: after the program is designed and the efforts of lobbying and the efforts of trying to secure funding for that program, is the Minister willing to share that information through a briefing?
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.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is: when can we expect the information, and how will it be passed on to the Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To give you a timeline is, at this moment, I can't give you that, because it depends upon the budget with the federal government and the negotiations that we do with them. How I will disburse the information will be probably through the Standing Committee on Social Development, and then committee can decide how to disburse that to the Members.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
