(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a brief comment to make with regard to government staff housing. With regard to the comments which I have just listened to, I agree with most of the comments which are being raised. In the early part of December, we were informed about the long-term housing strategy. This was a big shock to many of the Members when it first came out. This subject has been an ongoing issue for some time now and I think we have been able to give some thought to this. Like other problems, this is an issue we will be dealing with for a long time. Like any other issue, there will be many problems arising from this increase which is going to be imposed in the future. The government was able to be informed from the communities with regard to their concerns. As Members here, we all realize we have different problems we will have to deal with. The problem of utilities and food costs and with regard to different climates in our communities, we all have different problems which arise. Some of the communities rely on fuel for heat, and we realize that some of the other communities also have wood stoves which they can use in their homes. These are the two different ways of heating homes. We also know that in some communities, some government employees end up in houses which would be completely different units if they were in the south. For example, if they are going to try to purchase their own home, if they are going to try to purchase a three bedroom home the employee can run into a problem where it would be too big for the employee or too small. Perhaps, the unit would be too old. This would be another problem that would arise. If the unit is too old the problem would be that he would not be able to come up with the extra funding to renovate the unit.
When this issue arises whereby the housing would be based upon Yellowknife housing, I think many problems will arise if you are looking at the communities which are not on the highway system. The food costs are much higher and I will give you one example. Yesterday, I purchased a couple of wheels for my car from a tire outlet. For two tires it cost me $400. If that was in our community of Resolute Bay, for instance, when they arrive there you would have to add an additional $100 to the purchase price, which would bring it up to $500. These examples which I am using regarding the tires are of light weight. I know that food prices, especially when you order by volume, can be very heavy in freight. This was a concern by the communities which are not on the highway system. If they are going to standardize these issues they should also consider standardizing food prices.
These changes which are about to be implemented, it is not so much that we are against them, perhaps if they had been informed in advance, perhaps by a year or two or up to three years in advance, had they been informed of the long-term strategy it would not have come as such a shock to the government employees. However, it came upon them so suddenly and it was a shock.
In the meantime I am happy the employees are given the opportunity to purchase their houses if they want to. This will be reviewed. At this time I do not have many questions on this matter regarding the purchasing of the houses. However, I did want to make a short comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.