Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an argument that we’ve heard a lot of across the Northwest Territories and all my visits to the communities saying that the rent is a disincentive to work. We hear stories where folks have been paying $32 a month, they get a seasonal job, their rents increase for the time they’re working and that is a policy that the LHOs are following. I’ve had some discussions with senior officials, but we have to understand, though, that for the amount of time they’re not working and they’re paying $32 a month, we’re subsidizing them a huge amount and during the time that their working is their opportunity to pay back some of the subsidy that they’ve received. Because once they lose their seasonal job, they’ll be down to $32 a month again, and again Housing will be subsidizing them. So it is an argument that we’ve heard a lot of across the Northwest Territories and one that we recognize is a bit of a challenge. Obviously, hearing it so many times, it’s one that we have to look at quite seriously. Thank you.
Robert C. McLeod on Question 282-16(5): Need For Flexibility In The Administration Of Housing Policy
In the Legislative Assembly on October 28th, 2010. See this statement in context.
Question 282-16(5): Need For Flexibility In The Administration Of Housing Policy
Oral Questions
October 27th, 2010
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