Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to speak to this question.
The Canadian forces are an important national organization. Canadian forces members do a great deal for their country and they deserve both fair and reasonable compensation and a fair and reasonable standard of living. The quality of life of Canadian forces personnel has therefore been one of the minister's top priorities.
To pay for all of our quality of life initiatives we will spend approximately $538 million per year, $175 million in new money and $363 million from within our existing budget. Our level of spending will allow us to follow through on our commitment to improve the quality of life of Canadian forces members, including measures to improve housing.
We accepted all of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs 89 recommendations. We are already moving on most of them, including spending $40 million this fiscal year alone on immediate action for housing. This $40 million in new funding is in addition to the approximately $83 million the Canadian Forces Housing Agency currently collects in rents and invests back into repairs.
Most of Canada's military housing was built in the 1950s. We started repairs to military married quarters in fiscal year 1996-97. By the end of this fiscal year we anticipate that we will have replaced 5,000 furnaces, reinsulated 4,500 homes and improved drains and sewer systems for 6,000 homes. In addition, 9,000 homes will have received new doors, 6,500 will have received new windows and more than 4,000 will have had new roofs installed. The $40 million in new funding this fiscal year will allow the Canadian forces to accelerate these repairs to military married quarters.
We recognize that additional measures need to be taken with respect to housing. That is why we intend to give the Canadian Forces Housing Agency an expanded mandate to provide housing and housing services on military bases.
The Canadian forces also recognize there is no comprehensive accommodation policy on providing or managing accommodations. That is why we are developing a comprehensive policy this year.
All these measures show the government's firm commitment to improving the quality of life for our Canadian forces members wherever they serve Canada.