Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a long waiting list in Iqaluit for public housing. People have been waiting to get into public housing who do not have a bad track record living in public housing. The family we are talking about does have a reputation from the past of living in public housing and they do not meet the policy. There is a long list, but there may be something in Iqaluit. I will commit to the Member that I will get together with the Member for Iqaluit and try to see if there is anything possible we can do without setting a precedent and encouraging people to do damage to units, not pay their rent and expect to get back in ahead of other people. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. We all know the communities we live in are very cold in the winter. We know about Peter Salomonie's family situation. I do not know if they have any transportation to get their ice for their water in the winter. I know that he is also unemployed at the present time and he works very hard every day to try to keep his place warm and to put food on the table. I know that he is in arrears but, perhaps, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation could try to assist the family of Peter Salomonie as soon as possible because the government has to be responsible to the public. We should not always look at their financial situation or how much in arrears they are. Will the Minister be able to provide some interim housing for that family as soon as possible? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have made a commitment to the Member for Yellowknife South to work together with the Member for Iqaluit to try to find some sort of accommodation that is better than what they are living in now. I will work with him. I would like to make it clear to the two Members that we, as a government, have a responsibility to our public to try to house them properly, but the public also has a responsibility to treat those units properly and to pay their rent in a timely fashion. Excessive tenant damage is not acceptable. If your rent is set according to what you can afford to pay, then it should be paid. That would have alleviated this problem to begin with. I will look into the matter and try to address the issue as soon as possible. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask my question to the Minister of Social Services. In regard to Mr. Pudlat's and Mr. Whitford's questions earlier, we were told by the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation that the government policy has to be followed, especially with regard to people who are in arrears. We all know if they cannot pay their own arrears, Social Services can assist at times. The Salomonie family has been waiting for a long time. Will Social Services be assisting the Salomonie family with respect to wood for heating? In the paper there is an article which states the need to also get

housing for the Salomonie family as soon as they can, or if they could assist them with wood for heating. Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

(Translation) I will look into the question and I will work with the Minister of Housing and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After the Minister of Social Services talks with the Minister responsible for Housing, would the Minister of Social Services be able to get back to me before the end of the week? Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I cannot get back to you this week, I will ensure I give you an answer next week. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that Ministers are treating this as an urgency. At the present time, the Salomonies do not have adequate facilities in their house and they do not have enough to heat their house. When individuals are in that kind of condition it is very likely they will get sick more often than people in better housing. Could the Minister of Social Services talk with the Minister of Housing and get back to me? Why can she not answer me this week?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have already indicated, I will try to solve this problem along with the Minister of the Housing Corporation and get back to the Member. I cannot promise to get back this week, but definitely next week. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about a tar-paper shack on the beach. If the Member would like me to send the fire inspector there to condemn the unit, I am prepared to do that, but at this point in time we have to try to find an alternative. It seems to me that prior to doing that we should be looking for an alternative. It is my understanding, Mr. Morin, Mr. Patterson and Ms. Mike are attempting to do that. I was not sure if that was a serious question.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Before you continue, Mr. Todd. I would like to ask you to be careful with your replies. That reply could be considered to be argumentative. Mr. Todd.