Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Housing a couple of questions on his statement. As July 1, 2012, is the implementation of the Shelter Policy review, will the Minister consider an extension to mid-August for evictions, as many people in the smaller communities have seasonal employment?
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are planning on implementing some of the changes to the rent scale on July 1st. As far as delaying any evictions until August, I’m not sure we would have evictions in place. If the Member is referring to the moratorium, that’s still going to go ahead on April 1st and between now and August. Let us hope that we don’t have any more people that are in positions where they’re going to be evicted. I think with some of the changes that are being proposed to the rent scale, people will find those changes very beneficial and it will address a lot of the concerns that communities have had over the years.
What is the minimum amount of funds that is needed for the payment plan?
I don’t think there’s been a minimum amount of funds. What we’re asking people to do again – I think we’re going back to the moratorium question – is to enter into a repayment plan, a fairly reasonable repayment plan and not just enter into it for the sake of keeping themselves in the unit, but to enter it with the intent to honour it and then they’d be able to stay in their units a lot longer. As far as I know, there really is no minimum set, but that may vary between LHOs. I can follow up and let the Member know.
I look forward to the response. No further questions at this time.
