Today I would like to talk about some real issues facing our local housing organizations in Nunakput. I really think these issues get lost when the government identifies its own priorities and diverts everyone’s attention to the topic of board reform, the way we are trying to improve services offered by local boards. No one really thinks that a super board is going to make any difference to the ordinary person in the community. Everyone knows talking about a super board means going to many meetings and discussions of a super board and will only take away from local organizations in the effort to manage and deliver local services.
In Nunakput, the Inuvik Housing Authority now manages services in Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour. This means now everyone takes longer because of the community who can help sort out our own problems. We all know it takes a while for income support processes and assessments. Now it takes longer for housing to organize their rental charges to their tenants. Now there are more people being evicted because of the rental arrears. Let’s do something real for our residents. We need to provide better services so they could live happier and more productive lives. You can’t convince me the changing of managers and the board members will have any real affect in Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour to improve housing and income support services. Let’s start to really fix the problems and things that matter to the people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
