I would like to talk today about an issue that affects a lot of Northerners. It is an issue about trying to be able to afford basic living here in the North. Whether you are a one-income family or two, everyone needs to be able to afford to live somewhere. In many cases, and not all, but many of these people can’t afford to buy and own their own homes so they do what everyone else does in this situation, they rent. Now over the last few years, I have seen rent rates jump 16 percent or more each year here in Yellowknife. I have learned that even in some small communities around our great North, rents have jumped to an impossible rate of 33 percent up. This is just one example I have been informed about.
I don’t have an issue with a landlord that needs to cover their costs and most certainly I think that they should be able to make a reasonable profit, Mr. Speaker, but I dare them, I challenge anyone to explain to me and justify a 33 percent increase. I dare them to look me straight in the eye and do so.
Now in Yellowknife, our most recent rentals officer report says we have a vacancy rate of 1.2 percent for 2007. So what options does that leave the average family, a family on a tight budget, to find another place to live? Largely none, Mr. Speaker. Between the costs of the move, the cost of changing address information, the new damage deposit that must be paid up front, it doesn’t really leave a lot of room for any type of decision.
Now what do you do when you live in a small community where there are no vacancies? What do you do when you live in a small community and you live in the only apartment or rental complex? Now that is a real rock and a hard place. In the end, you have to pay. Some of you start to make choices that average families shouldn’t have to, and then they fight to get by. So what does that mean? Maybe less school clothes for the kids, maybe less meat at the dinner table, perhaps maybe even less food at the kitchen table, but thankfully most of them find ways to get by. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, the ball is in the landlord’s court. The game is being played by their rules only.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of options before us that could be done to help this average family trying struggling to get by. The options before us are simple. The Residency and Tenancy Act is being reviewed right now. There would be no better time to implement a process to help protect the average family.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. The Residency and Tenancy Act does not come open every time to discuss the elements of what it means. Mr. Speaker, the Minister will tell you that landlords can raise the rent only once a year. Of course, the Minister will be right about that fact. I will tell you that the way the law is written today, the landlord has every right to raise the rent to whatever percentage they want to. Mr. Speaker, don’t be fooled. Some do. Mr. Speaker, let’s not call this rent control. Let’s call it fair protection for working families trying to get by. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
