(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, along with my honourable colleague, Dennis Patterson, have concerns with the long-term staff housing strategy, as a representative of the Kitikmeot. The civil servants in my region have expressed concerns of a similar nature. The Kitikmeot Teachers' Association held a general meeting which I attended in Kugluktuk. At the time, the Kitikmeot board of education and the chairperson discussed the housing strategy. They expressed their concern regarding the increases. The NWT Teachers' Association chairman was also in attendance. She made a presentation, and she felt this was being processed too rapidly. They are not overly concerned with the increases but they feel the implementation process is being done too quickly, particularly for the smaller, isolated communities. These communities have not received adequate information, and have not been consulted with by the Minister or his department. The cost of living and transportation costs are very expensive. These things need to be taken into consideration.
Our children are being taught by teachers and we should be concerned about their future. Personally I do not have a problem with the increases. However, I think the policy is being processed too quickly. (Translation ends)
The teachers and the government employees within the Kitikmeot region are willing to comply with the strategy, with the rental increases, but they want fairness in the assessment of the strategy.