Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would just like to raise some housing policies and practices that continue to concern me and my constituents. Since very little has changed in the Housing Corporation’s policies and practices since raising these issues in this House on numerous occasions over the past two years and also bringing them to the attention of the Minister in charge of housing who, I might add, Mr. Speaker, spent four years on this side of the House adamantly demanding the same changes to the housing policies and practices, I feel it is important to raise the red flag once again.

First, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to stress the need for this government to not only acknowledge the fact that we recognize the difference between the large urban centres and our smaller remote communities, but the need to address and take action on making some tangible changes in government policies and programs to show the NWT public that we can and will make changes that address those differences. This government can no longer stay with the status quo in developing policies that are applicable to everyone, whether in a large or small centre.

Look at the BIP policy. It works good for the small communities, but may not be required in a larger, competitive market system like Yellowknife. The negotiated contract policy again works good for small communities, but is not required in a competitive market or a larger centre where there are three to five potential bidders on any given government contract at any given time.

On the housing side, the CNIT, Core Need Income Threshold, a very cut and dried policy with no room for negotiations. If you are a dollar over the threshold, you don’t qualify. A dollar under, you get government money to buy or build a new house. It doesn’t matter how responsible and hardworking you may be, how many kids, relatives, grandchildren you support, what the amount of truck or car payments are or the cost to feed your family. All these factors have big impacts on the remote communities, Mr. Speaker.

The rent scales in our remote communities with no market system to gauge what people are willing and able to pay, but a system that says you will pay based on how much money you make or your household makes or how much money you won in bingo last night.

It’s all these types of policies that need changes, adjustments and amendments, Mr. Speaker. Some of them are the main contributors to our ongoing housing crises and business crises in the small communities, not to mention the public’s contempt and disregard for self-reliance and independent living, which this government admits it’s trying to build on but in reality it just seems to be working against. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause