Debates of October 24, 2006 (day 14)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, housing in Behchoko is a mess. The community of Behchoko has some serious arrears on rental units, the public units. There are currently 182 public units in Behchoko. Mr. Speaker, these 182 units are under the umbrella of the NWT Housing Corporation. That’s our Housing Corporation here in the Northwest Territories government. Some residents argue that they have been rated wrongly in the past, paying high rent when they were unemployed, for example. Mr. Speaker, assessments in the past were done incorrectly. Their complaints have fallen on deaf ears, Mr. Speaker. Unable to pay their rent arrears simply continues to accumulate, leaving them hopeless and potentially homeless, Mr. Speaker. Some owe as much as $76,000 on public government units, Mr. Speaker. Now these clients face eviction. No one has dealt with this problem and worked on any plans to help these people.

Mr. Speaker, this government has not done its part to find a solution to this problem. I refuse to believe that this current government will stand by and allow this to continue. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of NWT Housing Corporation at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

---Applause