Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,
WHEREAS adequate and affordable housing is the most important concern of many Northerners;
AND WHEREAS without adequate, affordable, and accessible housing, individuals and families lack the basis for healthy living, successful educational participation, security of employment, and participation as full members in the economies, health, and development of our communities;
AND WHEREAS excessive and unexpected rental increases in private rental units can result in debilitating rents, especially upon lowincome earners;
AND WHEREAS renters require protection and support against high costs of living for inadequate lodging circumstances;
AND WHEREAS the low vacancy rate indicates strong rental market demand and puts upward pressure on rental prices;
AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories Residential Tenancies Act does not include a mechanism which dictates how much a landlord can increase their rent, only how often that rent increase can occur.
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that this Legislative Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories update the Northwest Territories Residential Tenancies Act to include maximum allowable rent adjustments which are no more than the fiveyear average of the Canada Consumer Price Index;
AND FURTHER, the Government include in the Northwest Territories Residential Tenancies Act that increases to rent above the fiveyear average of the Canada Consumer Price Index can be applied for by private landlords to the Northwest Territories' rental officer;
AND FURTHER, the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this motion within 120 days. And I will request a recorded vote, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Member for Great Slave. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The Member for Deh Cho. The Member for Kam Lake. The Member for Frame Lake. The Member for Nunakput. The Member for Yellowknife North. The Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. The Member for Monfwi.
All those opposed, please rise. All those abstaining, please rise.
The Member for Nahendeh. The Member for Yellowknife South. The Member for Sahtu. The Member for Range Lake. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. The Member for Yellowknife Centre.
The results of the recorded vote: Nine in favour, zero opposed, six abstentions. The motion is carried.
Carried
Motions. Member for Frame Lake.
