Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are working with the local housing authorities to try to collect the arrears that are collectable. We are also coming up with a new collection policy that will be taken to Cabinet, hopefully, by the end of March so that we have a new collection policy to collect arrears and also a policy to write off arrears because at present we are not allowed to write off those arrears. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Part of these rents, as I had mentioned, are long outstanding, probably could be written off, especially if the person who owes the money isn't around any more. You mentioned that it is a problem for the housing associations so I assume that these outstanding rental arrears -- $6 or $7 million worth -- have some impact on the daily operations of the housing associations. So my supplementary is, what direct impact is there on a local housing association if they don't collect the rent or the rental arrears?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding of the impact on the local housing authorities, at the present time, there is no impact on them. We have a new agreement signed with some housing authorities that if they collect the back rent, then they would get to keep a percentage of it. But at the present time, it doesn't have an impact on them. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Are these housing associations supposed to be self-sufficient? Is that in current policy that the revenues that they generate go towards offsetting their expenses, or are they still receiving huge contributions from the Housing Corporation?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They are still receiving huge contributions from the Housing Corporation. The rents can nowhere near pay the O and M cost of running the rental stock in the communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned that there is some work going on towards preparing a policy for writing off these uncollectible arrears. How soon does the Minister expect this policy to be ready?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hopefully by the end of March. Thank you.

Item 7, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the honourable Member for the question. The loans range from $5,000 to $12,500 per year and the amount is based on the individual's years of experience in the education field. The loans are remissible upon completion of the program and continued residence in the Northwest Territories, and if the student completes less than 60 per cent of the program or, upon completion, does not reside in the Northwest Territories, their loan is completely, fully repayable.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, could I ask the Minister if he is aware of how many students in the Northwest Territories are granted the opportunity of post-secondary incentive loans?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To date, the incentive loan program, is provided to residents in the teacher education program and, in some cases, the school community council programs. The loans have been provided to almost 180 students currently enrolled in the Northwest Territories campus and community-based programs.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing the Minister did indicate that he would be sending one of his officials to meet with the students enrolled in post-secondary education with regard to the teacher education program at the University of Saskatchewan, and recognizing that there are only eight students who are registered in this particular course and we are currently allowing for an additional 180 students to be considered for such a program, would the Minister reconsider, within their policy, a decision to extend this benefit to students who are attending the University of Saskatchewan? Thank you.