Debates of October 26, 2004 (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll do a follow-up question to the Honourable Charles Dent with regard to teachers. I want to ask the Minister what is this government doing to keep teachers in the North? What type of incentives are they working on to keep the teachers in the North, so they don’t have to deal with issues such as housing? I know that the government is not in the housing business now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 313-15(3): Housing For Sahtu Teachers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that we have a competitive compensation program for our employees in the Northwest Territories and I think that part of the problem is that perhaps people have been coming here without an understanding of what the costs are to live in some of our communities. I believe the salary compensates people fairly for the cost of living, as does our northern living allowance. The programs such as the one offered by the Housing Corporation for market rental housing is certainly making sure that housing is available at a reasonable rent in communities. I’m just not sure that people who have come into the Territories have been aware of the high cost of rent and the fact that they can get rent for lower prices in the communities than they can in Yellowknife. It doesn’t seem to have been made aware to many people.

I know that I’ve encouraged the chairs of all the boards to make sure that they are upfront with people who are coming into their communities when they offer them a job, that they know what the cost of living is in that community, including the cost of housing. I know that the NWTTA, on their website, is going to start providing a list of questions for prospective employees so that they ask their boards when they’re offered the jobs what to expect when they move into a community, including what are the rents going to be. So what we’re trying to do is make sure that we’re open and aboveboard with all of the information and hope that we have a compensation package that will make up for the high cost of living in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 313-15(3): Housing For Sahtu Teachers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I support the Minister in terms of aggressively looking at some initiatives that would keep our teachers here and have them be aware of the high cost of living in the Sahtu. We are no strangers in the Sahtu region, we know that. I would ask the Minister what would he do with his department in terms of working with the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation to look at some unique initiatives of providing some secure housing to our people in the Northwest Territories and the Sahtu region. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 313-15(3): Housing For Sahtu Teachers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated previously to the Member, we are not about to get back into staff housing, so I can’t commit that we will do anything to provide secure housing for our employees. However, I have committed to work with my colleague, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, and the boards and DEAs throughout the Territories to make sure that there is some understanding of the needs and, therefore, hopefully some ability to respond to those needs as we continue with the second year of the program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.