Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, we are moving immediately to implement Plan 2000. We are working on a list of interested and eligible clients. It does take some time to process these applications and to purchase materials, et cetera. What I said yesterday, it is clear that we will be able to move the material through the road system for the western Arctic this year. I have checked into it a bit further and there may be some opportunities in the Nunavut area to ship some of the materials this year.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize there are briefings forthcoming, but could the Minister briefly describe the criteria they will use to select the clients? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member is asking about the eligibility criteria. It will be similar to the Down Payment Assistance program that we have now. The EDAP program, as it is called, requires clients to be 19 years of age or older. To be residents of the NWT for five years. They are required to have a mortgage approved by the bank or, clients unable to secure interim financing for a new home construction from banks, can apply for interim financing from the Housing Corporation. Clients with outstanding arrears with any local housing organization cannot qualify for the program. However, clients may be able to enter the program by rolling their arrears into their mortgage. Clients must use available northern manufactured products where possible. Clients must either build new or purchase existing units. Prebuilt or modular units are disallowed, but may be purchased as long as the unit has been occupied in the community for a minimum of a year.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated that 2,000 families will be put into new homes, or improvements will be made to others. Can the Minister indicate how many of these homes will be newly constructed homes? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, the number of new homes will depend on the required assistance by the clients. Some clients require more assistance than others depending on their income. I would explain it this way. We are now spending $40 million a year on housing, which we hope will be relatively stable over the next few years. That translates to $120 million over three years. I have received estimates any where from an additional $200 to $250 million that would be financed through the banks for new homes, approximately any where between 1600 to 1800 homes, compared to about 900 which would have otherwise been available. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm that the communities in most need will be targeted first? That would be communities with matchbox houses and NTRs. Also, if there will be an accountability mechanism in place to monitor the initiative? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation will base its allocations on relative need of the communities. We will ensure every constituency in every community will get its fair share. What I have done is made sure that we have a reporting process, where we document all the additional homes that are being built with this initiative. I put this in myself, to ensure that we get as close to the target as possible and the additions and changes we make are meaningful ones.

Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question that I would like to direct to the Minister of FMBS, Mr. Todd. There were government units in Clyde River, seven staff housing-units. The development corporation had written to the Chairman of FMBS asking to take those units. I would like to know if he has responded to their request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If my memory serves me correctly, we have responded positively to that development corporation which is owned by local people. In fact, arrangements are under way right now. I do not know if it is for all or some of those housing units, but certainly my position has been clear. Where the tenants do not want to purchase them, we are prepared to ensure that local community groups, co-operatives, and development corporations purchase these units. It will be done in such a manner that will protect staff housing for our staff in the future. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

I am certainly glad Mr. Henry brought that issue up. We will certainly take a look at that suggestion he has brought forward and analyze what is going on in other constituencies, to see if there is any volume in doing it, and if it will be a net gain to this government. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will direct the Minister's attention, which will maybe help him in deciding the merits of this, to the Standing Committee on Finance a couple years back. I believe he will find some information which will support that position. I think he was a member of it at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. That was a comment. I did not hear any question. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.