Yes. Thank you, Mr. Bachand.
The federal government is looking at providing a catch-up program, providing about 1,140 houses, I believe, for the next seven years after it announces it. After this, we wouldn't have a housing shortage. We have the regular housing program and the negotiations for that. Since it has to be renewed by springtime, by March 31, they are going ahead as planned.
This provides about 60 houses per year, but it does not catch up to the shortage that we have. We need those 1,140 houses to catch up with the housing shortages. The shortage of housing in the Arctic, in Nunavik, is very stressful for the families in Nunavik. Overcrowding creates family problems. We have families where there are multiple generations. We have grandparents with their children who are now adults and who have their own kids. Their brothers might stay in the same house, too.
That creates family problems. It creates social problems in the communities, and it can also be a health hazard. We have swine flu happening in Canada and around the world right now, so transmission of these things could be very risky for many of these families.
We are very well aware of the housing program and the catch-up program that is being suggested by the federal government. We were unhappy to hear recently that it might be delayed a bit. That might be due to the election.