Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Member for Inuvik asked me a question on June 16 about why there was a discrepancy between the rents paid by two employees in the town of Inuvik. He asked whether there had been a rental increase by the government effective April 1, 1992, on staff housing.
The government had planned to implement rental increases across the Territories effective April 1, 1992. The government
normally increases rent annually by an amount equal to the average increase in rents in the entire housing market as established by CMHC, the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. At the same time, the government was working on a long-term staff housing strategy which included a total review of the existing system with a view toward solving many of the problems which have faced us in this area over the years.
The working committee for the strategy identified the fact that our existing rental rates must be reconsidered to determine how they should relate to the rates paid on the private market and in public housing. The working committee recommended that the decision to increase staff housing rental rates across the board be rescinded. This was approved. The chairman of the committee was directed to do a thorough review of the rental structure in staff accommodation and to make recommendations for rationalizing the entire system. The long-term housing strategy is expected to be ready for consideration in the fall of 1992, at which point the government will make the final decision on the future of the staff housing program. No rental increases are contemplated for 1992.
Unfortunately, through a mix-up in communication, some employees had their rents increased by mistake. My officials have now identified all the tenants who are in this position, and their rents are being readjusted to the old rates, retroactive to the dates they were increased. Those employees who paid too much rent will receive a refund.
Thank you
---Applause