Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this opportunity to speak to this extremely important initiative that the government is undertaking. Mr. Speaker, this has been a long time in coming. This dates back to the previous Legislature. Mr. Speaker, a lot of work has been done in this area, a lot of communication work has been done in this area. We had intended to bring this forward a year ago. At the request of the Members we delayed that implementation to April 1st of this year. It gave us the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to refine the programs and to do even more work on it and more work was done. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, we have had consultations with the standing committees on several occasions and a lot of questions were asked during those particular standing committee briefings with the social envelope committee. Mr. Speaker, I have to point out that in February, they issued a report. They reported to us that Members were pleased that this oft-delayed initiative is being implemented and believe the new system provides for the equitable treatment of all residents of social housing. They complement both our departments, Mr. Speaker, for our efforts in ensuring the development of equitable programs.

So, Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of work done in this area. The Housing Corporation has done a lot of work on their part to communicate with LHOs in turn with those people who are affected. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of groups that are affected by this, seniors, students, low income families and income support clients. Income support clients will not be affected adversely by this, Mr. Speaker. Low income families are the ones that benefit. Eighty percent of the low income families will benefit from this, Mr. Speaker, because they will see a reduction in their rent. It is designed for that. Students will see a change, Mr. Speaker, a change for the better. The intent of the program was to create equity and treat everyone in the same manner, Mr. Speaker, and to correct inconsistencies that are there between our department and the Housing Corporation in how we assess people for benefits. That is important. It's extremely important to address that. We've taken the initiative to do that.

There was confusion before. There were inconsistencies and inequities. We wanted to correct that, Mr. Speaker. What is the impact for the people out there? Mr. Speaker, a lot of people are going to benefit from this as well and we cannot afford to delay. We can't afford to delay this, Mr. Speaker, because a lot of people who are going to benefit from this will not see those benefits if we delay the program and that is important too. We are listening to what the Members are saying and we will be sensitive to the needs of other people, but we do believe in what we have designed. We believe it is correct and we believe it is important for us to proceed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.