Mr. Speaker, the inadequate number of staff houses available to government employees has been in existence for many years, even during the years when there was a very healthy accumulated surplus enjoyed by this government. Even as far back as 1987 or 1988, we had established that we needed, for instance in the Baffin alone, a few hundred staff houses just to catch up to present needs.
Over the years, the government has been trying to build sufficient units so staff could be reasonably housed within the communities where they are employed. There is a question as to how this staff housing policy addresses the present predicament of government. The fact is, we have been unable to make the commitment to provide sufficient money to increase the total allocation of staff houses to what is required. The staff housing strategy suggests, in the interest of the fiscal situation of the government at this time, we have to take a position that will make it possible for private developers to have some confidence in developing accommodation for people in the private market, as well as government employees who wish to rent from the private market, or to buy houses.
The government has said, through the staff housing strategy, we will make it attractive for people to buy their own houses. This will, in many cases, trigger an interest from the private market to become competitive in building units where they can lease to people at a competitive or even lower rate than what government is prepared to rent at. Also, if there are government guarantees for people to buy back their houses, it will give private developers a certain comfort in building units as they know there is going to be a market. Because of this, the private market will begin to develop. It is taking a different approach to addressing the problem we have. We do not have enough houses for staff, government employees, ordinary citizens and people of the Northwest Territories. Part of our strategy has been to suggest by taking the approach we do, we will make more units available for more people, staff and other residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.