Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 26/05) - Government employees will see their housing costs jump next year.

And the year after that, and the next until 2010 and 2014, depending on the community.

Come New Year's Day, government employees in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay will be paying 15 per cent more for staff housing.

Another 15 per cent increase will come into play in 2007. The cost will jump 20 per cent in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, the price will go up another 20 per cent or to the market rate, whichever is greater.

For all other communities, the rent an employee pays will go up 10 per cent a year from 2006 until 2010. From 2011 until 2014, it will be bumped five per cent a year, until the market rate is reached in 2015.

The formula for rent is the size of your place in square metres multiplied by your base rate.

For example, if you work for the government and live in an 80 square metre apartment in Iqaluit, your base rate is $12.48 this year. Multiply that by your 80 square metres (780 sq. ft.), and you pay $998.40 a month.

In 2006, the same apartment will cost the employee $1,148.16. In 2008, it will cost $1,584.46, and by 2010, the price will be $2,281.62.

There are three types of homes, each with a different base rate: single family dwellings, apartment buildings, and high-rise apartments with elevators.

There is only one high-rise apartment building in Nunavut, the apartments adjoining the Frobisher Hotel.

Housing can not be negotiated as a part of any contract with government employees, due to legislation inherited from the Northwest Territories.

The Nunavut Employees Union goes back to the table in one year and one of the concerns from members has been housing.

"It sounds like (the government) doesn't want us to stay. People are considering leaving," said union president Doug Workman.

"We don't know if there is going to be a mass exodus on Jan. 1.

"It is not a plan that is well thought out to return a workforce or to recruit one."