Bisaro looking for answers to teachers housing question

February 21, 2012

Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Next week is Education Week in the NWT and while the territory will be celebrating the work of teachers, Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro is wondering what their status of living is like.

In the past, housing was offered up by communities to house teachers who came in to work, but Bisaro claimed the program hasn't been much of a success and wanted an explanation from Education, Culture and Employment minister, Jackson Lafferty.

"My understanding is that that program didn't work very well. I'd like to know from the Minister of Education if there's a particular explanation as to why that program hasn't been all that successful."

Lafferty said while there has been an upswing in the number of applications received for housing, the program is under review right now.

"We explore that area as an option, but we are also exploring other areas where the Shelter Review Policy would capture some of the discussion we've had in the 16th Assembly. Now we're into 17th Assembly, how to deal with the housing shortage in the communities, especially for staff, our professions that we need to take care of."

Bisaro also said a problem for teachers is safety and she would like to see the minister address that in the future.

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