Debates of October 19, 2006 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address the limited availability of housing in Fort Liard. Many of our 27 small communities experience these problems. Fort Liard’s situation is critical and requires immediate attention by this government. Time after time I have stood before this House and requested action to address the housing crisis in Fort Liard, Mr. Speaker, and very little has been done. For the past two years there has been only two houses built there and no one is living in them because of deficiency issues. This year alone we have five scheduled homes. These are replacement homes. It doesn’t add to the community; it merely moves eight people out of a mouldy home into a new one without mould.

My leadership have been telling me that they have heard ideas and commitments from territorial and federal governments time and time again with no real action. We must not allow this cycle and circle of political merry-go-round to go on any longer. A new North has arrived, said the Prime Minister. Now let’s complement this with new and decisive actions.

The availability of housing and the unsafe housing conditions, such as indoor mould, affects the community’s ability to even recruit and retain professional staff, Mr. Speaker. How can we expect teachers and professionals and their families to live in motels for months at a time and still teach effectively, or, more importantly, to stay in our communities?

In the Nahendeh community of Fort Liard, the housing condition is at a critical point and we, as an Assembly and as a government, must take leadership and address these issues. Today we must take care of these needs, Mr. Speaker, not tomorrow. Mahsi cho.

---Applause