Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Yesterday I spoke in my language. We had difficulties with equipment yesterday, and there is a lot of complaint in the communities regarding this little mishap yesterday. Also, I'd like to make a comment... [End of translation] ... conversation about housing. There are a lot of issues and challenges with housing in the Northwest Territories. The policy simply is not meeting the needs of our people.
In my community of Behchoko there are more than 40 units that are boarded up. Some are ready for demolition, some are burnt, and some need major renovations. None of these units are liveable at this time, not to mention that they're an eyesore in my community. The people who live there now are homeless or couch surfing in the community.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to focus on the burnt units. None of them had fire insurance when they burned down. I had inquired numerous times, Mr. Speaker, about solutions for these burnt units. I have been told over and over that, because tenants did not have fire insurance, they do not qualify for another unit or renovation.
A number of things concern me about this situation. First and foremost, why did we ever transfer brand-new units to clients without housing insurance? Second, these clients are vulnerable citizens, people living in poverty, elders with limited income or pension. Why didn't the NWT Housing Corporation consider an agreement for house insurance with these vulnerable clients? Furthermore, these units have since been left in a state of demise in the community, some of them for more than 10 or 15 years. This is not only an eyesore, but, I'm sure, dangerous in the community.
Mr. Speaker, these policies are faulty and, as a result, families are left homeless. They cannot afford renovations or new housing and are longer able to access public housing. I believe the goal of the NWT Housing Corporation is to provide safe, affordable, and adequate housing for residents of the Northwest Territories in situations such as this one. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Masi.
---Unanimous consent granted