David Ramsay

Mr. Speaker, even with the relatively low interest rates of today, a Northwest Territories resident purchasing a $250,000 home still pays anywhere between $10,000 to $14,000 a year in interest for the first 10 years of their mortgage. Mr. Speaker, the cost of living, especially housing costs, is so high in the North that individuals employed in the diamond mining sector often prefer to purchase a home for their family in the South and commute. We spend a fortune attracting professionals north, only to have them return south after a couple of years.

This government needs to be looking at...

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Minister.

Page 9-38, lease commitments - infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We are on page 9-25, activity summary, advanced education and careers, operations expenditure summary, $41.053 million.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Braden.

Page 7-6, infrastructure acquisition plan, education and culture, infrastructure contributions, total infrastructure contributions, $70,000.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. We are on page 9-35 and it’s grants. The only thing on that page is student grants. I will allow the question though. Just so that Members are aware, we want to try to stick to topic while we are on that page. Mr. Minister.