(Translation) Mr. Chairman, thank you. Since yesterday, we have been working on this issue dealing with the shortage of housing. While we are aware, that there will be continual shortage of funding, and continual lack of housing, as Mr. Ningark used in his example, I too, can come up with an example in ways that we can approach the federal government for further assistance.
We have to be well organized. For example, last April, when we held our meetings here, people who were dropping by, passing through, would stay at our place. At that time, there were so many children, that some of them almost got sick. That has not been the only incident that has affected my family due to overcrowding.
Our lifestyles are very different from what they used to be. Particularly for those of us who are elders, it is very different now as far as diseases go. You are more susceptible in this day and age. We used to live in crowded igloos, but we were not, it seems, as susceptible to diseases in those days. It is different now. I have been in a crowded home, in 1989 and 1990, and if there is a family of 10, even when they are related, it will cause you to break down mentally, because of constantly being in a crowded home.
We can use these as examples, while realizing that Canada is in a time of fiscal restraint, be that as it may, we have to come up with concrete solutions. We need to express our need for more housing. As I stated yesterday, this is a unique problem.
There is also a growing population, happening at one of the fastest rates in the north. Our students are going to have to have adequate shelters. We have homes that we will be eventually leaving behind. We have to ensure that we can provide adequate housing, for the people that will stay.
It is a beautiful country, but it does have harsh climates, very cold weather. It affects you, especially if you do not have proper housing. We have to make these conditions known to the federal government.
We are aware of our shortage of housing, and this will probably be the case for a while. We have to have some solutions, and we cannot just pay lip service. We have to start building something, to ensure that proper housing is provided. I think we all know how our lifestyles are, but trying to get housing is something that is very difficult to obtain. There are many people without housing in the territories. I am not sure what the statistics are, but there are still many people who should have housing, but are unable to.
We have to come up with more concrete solutions, and not just talk so much about it. We have to make sure the federal government understands how unique the problem is in the north. By working together, the Minister should consider trying to come up with solutions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.