Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Allen on March 18, 2004, regarding an update on the new housing re-investment proposal. Specifically, the Member requested an update on the status of a proposal submitted in August 2002 to create a flat-rate rent scale for public housing clients in the Northwest Territories.

After studying the impacts of a flat-rate rent scale, the Housing Corporation has opted not to move in this direction. The corporation's decision not to proceed was made in light of the fact that the proposal to create the flat-rate rent scale would have resulted in increased rents for low-income families and students. In addition, this proposal included another significant change in that seniors' households would now be assessed rent. It is the corporation's position that increasing rents for the most vulnerable members of our society is not in the best interest of the public housing clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.