Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the years, through my leadership positions in Nunakput, there has been a deficiency, an inequality and a crisis far beyond most community based concerns. This is a housing situation.
Although I recognize I may sound like a broken record, I cannot emphasize enough that whatever housing concerns are experienced in other parts of our great territory, they are compounded manyfold in the Nunakput region. There are houses all over Nunakput communities that are unfit to live in, places such as Yellowknife or Inuvik. Former leadership in Paulatuk has frequently told me that operating and maintaining certain decrepit homes is merely throwing good money after bad.
In addition to the decrepit conditions of the units, communities have the enormous problem of overcrowding. Overcrowding in housing units is a symptom of a much larger systemic problem and has caused many community problems. Too many times I see ten to 12 people staying in a small unit. As I visit these units, I grow increasingly frustrated and concerned. I wonder when the government will commit seriously to adjusting these deficiencies. There are many families in Nunakput who have doubled up and even tripled up because of simply having no place to live. That’s a shame of this government.
Recently Ulukhaktok was recognized for developing and providing housing for the teachers in northern community based solutions, but these community governments are tight on cash and shouldn’t have to be carrying the weight alone. This is a Housing and Education territorial responsibility.
Don’t get me wrong. We see all the units being built all over this territory, and they’re welcome, but they are barely making a small dent. Making matters even worse, some units are being decommissioned as other units are being built. In other words, we are only breaking even.
Mr. Speaker, this problem has been going on far too long. The buck stops in this House. The government has to make changes.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
This has to be the government to make the changes desperately needed in the communities’ housing conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
