Mr. Speaker, the majority of employees who are being affected by this, find it as an acceptable initiative. However, there are hardship cases that have to be dealt with. For those people who feel like they are hard done by because we are asking them to pay a fair rent, they have options to move to greener pastures. I believe they will do that. I do not begrudge it. I believe that, in the end, people who want to stay in the north, who love the north and have a commitment to the north, will stick with that commitment. I believe that the number of people who resign may publicly be perceived as leaving as a result of this strategy. In fact, there has been a high unacceptable level of turnovers for years. My view is, in the long-term this housing initiative will help stabilize the employees of the Northwest Territories. When people start to see they can make long-term commitments, they can receive an opportunity to buy the houses that they are assigned, they will have assurance that the government will buy back their units, people will, in the and, start to see it as a real benefit to make long-term commitments to the north and not just come here for two or three years. Our own home-grown northern and aboriginal employees will also start to stabilize as they see the benefits of this initiative and reap the benefits through the home ownership programs and the sale of staff houses. Thank you.
Stephen Kakfwi on Question 297-12(3): Opposition To Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
In the Legislative Assembly on February 22nd, 1993. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 297-12(3): Opposition To Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 297-12(3): Opposition To Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 5: Oral Questions
February 21st, 1993
Page 533
See context to find out what was said next.