Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to, once again, voice my concerns over the harmonization strategy. This initiative was introduced and adopted by the 13th Assembly and I have watched with great interest as this program has been deferred, time and time again. It's been changed. It has been transferred from one Minister to another and, in the end, I was hoping it would go away. However, it's very evident that this government is determined to implement this program April 1st of this year.
Mr. Speaker, I question the intent of this initiative. It's certainly not intended to improve the health and conditions in our communities. It is not designed to raise revenues for this government. It is not part of the seniors' strategy. My understanding of this program is that it was to harmonize the income support program with the social housing program. If that was the goal, then why are the seniors and the students rolled into the mix? Most of the seniors and students live on a fixed monthly income, an income that is usually accounted for before they receive it. Mr. Speaker, I hear from the NWT housing staff that seniors across the North are welcoming and embracing this program. If that's the case, I ask why are seniors in the small communities complaining about this new initiative?
Mr. Speaker, the Minister promised in this House there would be a clear communication strategy and an implementation schedule. I have copies of letters sent out to the seniors in my riding as part of the communication strategy. The letter simply states that a new scale is being introduced April 1st. The new maximum rent is at a certain level and on April 1st, the rent would be calculated in a different manner and it gives another lump sum. It doesn't indicate the actual rent that will be charged. The Housing Corporation may have met the letter of the law by mailing out notices of intent of the potential rent increases, but they sure didn't meet the intent of the law.
I contacted every band and municipal council in the NWT, Mr. Speaker, and 87 percent have responded by saying they are not familiar with this program and they needed more information. Fifty-five percent have requested that this whole initiative be abandoned. Mr. Speaker, I was recently reminded that the NWT Housing Corporation was initially formed in the early 1970s under the name of the Mackenzie Valley...Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.