Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year, the Department of Finance put the Property Tax Arrears Program in place, out of recognition that some people who have had to have taxes at times higher than their annual income may never be paid off with their arrears. It allows remission forgiveness in property tax interest in return for a person making a payment on the principal that is owed. Will the Minister have her department develop a similar program with the arrears and forgiveness of debt, money put on, and they will get some of their arrears freed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Housing Corporation is open to new methods. I would have to take a look and see what is working and what is not working before we establish new ideas going forward, but I am going to commit to be working with the Member to look and see how we can work with the outstanding arrears within the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Thank you.
That sounds really good. It could be the Minister Paulie Chinna Arrears Program. We're thankful for that. This work will involve assessing the total amount of arrears owed by an annual income for those who owe arrears. Will the Minister provide an assessment to the appropriate standing committee when this is completed?
Once a review is done, yes, I will be submitting something to the standing committee.
Will the Minister share the proposed program, the parameters of eligibility, the requirements, with the standing committee before the program is finalized and working?
Yes, I will, because I would be open to further comments and suggestions once the information is provided.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is such a big issue we have in our small communities, because there is no job employment. Everything is seasonal. Can the Minister provide a time estimate on what time we could look at having something before the House for approval for arrears write-offs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to provide those numbers, but I will be able to provide them going forward, because it is going to end up needing a full assessment and I need to see the material to see what is working and what is not working. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
