Thank you, Madam Speaker. In January 1994, employees who were living in government-owned staff housing units in level II and III communities were given the final opportunity to express an interest in purchasing the housing unit that they occupied. In all communities except Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit, employees had until February 11 to respond to our offer. February 18 was the deadline in those two communities.
I would like to advise all the Members of this Legislature of the results of this phase of the long-term housing strategy. On a regional basis, we have received expressions of interest from employees as follows: Fort Simpson, 10; Fort Smith, 1; North Slave, 1; Inuvik, 17; Keewatin, 63; Kitikmeot, 17; and, Baffin, 39. This makes a total of 148 expressions of interest. However, this does not mean that we have sold 148 staff housing units. The expressions only indicate that these employees would like to consider purchasing a unit.
Madam Speaker, the Department of Public Works and Services will be arranging for appraisals of each staff housing unit followed by formal offers to the employees. I know that Members are concerned about the sale of housing units in small communities, but I would like to reassure the Members that most of the interest has come from the larger communities.
I will be writing to each Member very soon to let them know how many expressions of interest have been received from each community within their constituency. This will also begin the process of developing individual community staff housing plans which will address the unique circumstances in each community. Thank you, Madam Speaker.