Thank you, mahsi. Mr. Speaker, today I am going to talk about the housing corporation customer service. I am speaking on behalf of my constituents, a couple, an elderly, who live in one of the communities. Their interaction with the housing corporation demonstrates how the bureaucracy of the corporation approach the communicate with our Indigenous homeowners.
Mr. Speaker, it is a total clash of culture.
Mr. Speaker, this couple has received at least eight formal letters from the housing corporation, three of which were formally served to them. But Mr. Speaker, the housing corporation does not realize this couple cannot read English. The corporation has not taken the time to get to know their clients to recognize they will never understand any letter that comes to them. The housing corporation can send 80 letters and the results will be the same. English is their second language and is a foreign language to them and they speak only broken English.
Mr. Speaker, they are also elderly and do not understand the world of administration and legal contracts. How the housing corporation administer their housing unit is totally alien to some people in the communities. This couple understands life in the bush hunting, trapping, surviving the seasons, and speak Tlicho.
Mr. Speaker, this couple has no understanding of the information they have received from the housing corporation. What is the purpose of all these formal letters? To intimidate them? To advise my constituents to seek legal counsel? Mr. Speaker, they have no concept of the western legal system.
It is clear, Mr. Speaker, the customer service standards for the NWT Housing Corporation need a dramatic overhaul. There needs to be an understanding between employees and clients. There needs to be communication and dialogue. If the housing corporation staff had made an effort to communicate or have a conversation with this couple, they would have quickly understood that translation is required. Mr. Speaker, if this is happening to elders and others in my communities, what about all of the other elderly people in other communities? Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude?
Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, there needs to be a better communication between the housing corporation and its clients and a triage support system for clients of both income support and the housing corporation. Regular communications between income assistance and the housing corporation is required with clients to ensure they feel secure in their homes with adequate financial support for all their needs. I will have questions for the Minister of Housing. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
