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KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER - The Clyde River Housing Association is calling on the government to change the Nunavut Rent Scale.

In a motion passed Nov. 18, the association resolved to lobby the government for a more "affordable" program, akin to Northern Quebec's, and "based upon the unit size, rather than the tenant's income."

Levi Palituq, one of the association's members and a housing tenant, said he plans to approach the Nunavut human rights tribunal if changes aren't made.

"It's not fair to the tenants when we are not being treated equally. There are tenants paying $60 a month, others who are not paying anything, and others maxed out at $2,000 a month," he said. "This is a human rights issue because we are not being treated fairly and equally. I'd like to see the rental scale thrown out, and I want to see something put in there that's fair and equal to everybody."

The Nunavut Rent Scale is currently assessed on net household income, based on Canadian Revenue Agency information.

Rents are based on a sliding scale of between 10 per cent and 28 per cent of a tenant's disposable income.

The rent is reassessed annually per household.

Palituq, who works as an outfitter three months of the year, said his rent is based on his salary combined with his wife's, who works full-time at the school.

He said he would like to see the rent scale replaced with a flat fee, in the $200 to $300 range.

"The elders are not paying anything, and at the same time, myself and my wife are paying over $2,000 a month," he said.

Hunter Tootoo, the new minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation, said he will draft a response to the group.

"The rent scale will be reviewed during the life of this assembly. When, I can't say," he said.

Currently, tenants rarely pay the maximum percentage of the rent scale, which is two per cent less than the national percentage, according to Tootoo.

He also pointed to clauses which allow young adults under 25 to make up to $5,800 a year before it is calculated as part of the household income, and that seniors' income is not included.

"I think it is pretty affordable," he said.

But Lizzie Palituq, Levi's sister-in-law, said she is concerned that having a rent scale doesn't encourage people to go out and get jobs.

"It's discouraging because people can pay the minimum amount for rent, but if they work a little bit, it goes up right away. I like working, so I've always paid the high rent, but if anyone else in my family works, it goes right up," she said.

Lizzie said she doesn't have a lot of hope any changes will be made.

"A couple of years ago I was one of those people who were raising concerns. It doesn't seem to have gone anywhere," she said.

Lizzie has lived in her four-bedroom home since 2001. She said she applied to purchase one of the older, pre-owned units once, but didn't qualify because she owed some money to housing.

In the past, she wrote letters to the former MLA and housing manager, but said she didn't get much response.

With the new government in place, she said she will likely take another stab at it.