Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about the serious issue that is affecting many of our communities: a lack of adequate housing for teachers.
This is not a new issue. As a matter of fact, it’s been making headlines for some time now — headlines like: Teachers’ Housing – Headache for Education Body; Frustrated Teachers Quitting Beaufort Jobs; High Rents, Housing Crunch Drives Teachers from NWT Communities; Five Beaufort-Delta Communities Losing School Principals.
Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious issue for many communities. Things are no different in my riding. The district education authority in Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution, the South Slave District Education Council and even the NWT Teachers’ Association have raised the issue of housing for teachers in my communities numerous times over the past five years. There’s been little or no improvement.
Mr. Speaker, there are three main issues with teachers’ housing: availability, affordability and adequacy. Contributing to the problem is the fact that Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e are smaller communities with no private rental market. The cost of housing is a significant factor when prospective teachers are deciding whether or not to take the positions. Affordability is a huge factor when it comes to communities getting good teachers or retaining them.
In these smaller communities, availability of adequate housing is severely limited. As a result, teachers often find themselves having to share living quarters with others. One teacher was even forced to stay in a local bed-and-breakfast. In most cases they have month-to-month leases. This can be a major distraction for teachers. It often results in high, fast turnover and places a heavy burden on school budgets. In one case, a teacher had to go without laundry services for a full winter because of a faulty water system and other issues, like maintenance.
At the end of the day, this is not only a teacher’s problem. It affects the students and the whole community.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
This is a territory-wide problem that demands immediate attention. Later on today I will follow up this statement with questions for the appropriate Minister. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
