Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in keeping in line with today's theme, I would like to speak about the harmonization initiative. I think I have made it clear that I have great reservations about the implementation of the harmonization strategy.

Like my colleague, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, it was my understanding that the harmonization initiative was undertaken because there was a need to make changes on how to assess income and set the rental rates for public housing and income support clients.

Mr. Speaker, the way this program has been rolled out is causing real problems in communities that I represent. Some people are hearing for the first time that they may or may not have a rent increase in the next three months.

For example, can you imagine getting a letter from your landlord stating that your rent may go up in three months, but it may not go up either? At any rate, the letter should be considered as formal notice that something is going to happen in three months.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, when you go to local housing authorities and you ask if your rent is going to increase and by how much, no one can really tell you because they have not been trained, nor have they been informed of how to calculate the rent until sometime in March of this year, yet the family is told to be prepared for something to happen.

Can you imagine the stress that it is causing my constituents? Many of the seniors are wondering if their rent is going to go up. They are wondering if they are going to have enough money left over from their cheques to make payments on items they purchased a year prior to this initiative. Many are wondering if they will still have enough money to adequately support their families.

Mr. Speaker, in my mind, when you give someone three months notice of change in their rent, the notice must contain enough detail to all the family to make decisions and plan. I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that if a private apartment owner in Yellowknife tried to claim three months notice of a rent increase without telling the tenant how much that increase would be and that it constituted a proper notice, the MLA for that riding would be snowed under with complaints.

Mr. Speaker, this strategy I understand was inherited from the 13th Assembly. I am not satisfied that the details of the harmonization strategy have been fully debated in this Assembly. I believe the residents need to be informed of the ramifications of the new harmonization policies that will be applied.

I will be following up with the appropriate Minister during question period, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause