Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A couple of days ago in this Assembly, I spoke of the high cost of airfares and the pressure on the cost of living. In the last couple of days, I have had some more news on that front. It is disturbing news, Mr. Speaker, especially for those people in rental accommodations here in Yellowknife.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, in its regular survey of the housing market in Yellowknife, is telling us that our vacancy rates in apartments for the coming year is going to be at about half a percent, and most disturbing, Mr. Speaker, is that there will continue to be upward pressure on the cost of renting. They are forecasting somewhere in the neighbourhood of 8 to 10 percent. Mr. Speaker, this is very bad news in the fact of increases that we have already had. For instance, in 1999, the cost of a monthly two-bedroom apartment in Yellowknife was $986. This year, that is forecasted to be $1,175. Put yourself in the position, Mr. Speaker, of a low to middle income family facing an increase in the past three years of $200 a month for rent; and that is on top of energy and utility costs that I think have exceeded 20 percent.

Mr. Speaker, even though in Yellowknife we are fortunate to see the private sector responding with potentially a few hundred new apartment units, we are still in a situation where we are not going to be able to take advantage of the economic good times when people just do not have places to stay. I am going to be asking the Minister responsible just what we can do, especially, Mr. Speaker, to protect the situation of those low and middle income people who do not have anywhere to turn when it comes to the skyrocketing cost of living here in Yellowknife.