Louis Sebert

The Member opposite has raised a complex issue. I can advise that the Department of Lands, with assistance from Justice, is looking into the whole area of equity leases and our responsibilities under these leases.

Mr. Speaker, I am not absolutely sure of whether there was a connection between the assessment, the 10 per cent assessment, that I have spoken of earlier and the equity lease situation, which is quite a different situation. I do know that the land pricing policy was established in 1997, so it hasn't been looked at in some time by Cabinet. Land leasing and equity leases are somewhat different. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As mentioned in my answer to the previous question, of course the mill rate is the way in which municipalities establish their needs to raise tax revenue in each community, and that tends to be different in each community, depending on their needs. We are, of course, reviewing the whole policy in this area, but I don't think we would be referring to a rate as a "mill rate," which is really specific to municipalities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member's office has correctly stated, the leases are based on 10 per cent of the assessed value, and that is standard across the Northwest Territories, that 10 per cent of assessed value exists from Fort Smith, all the way up the valley to the ocean. Now, that is standard across the Northwest Territories, and that 10 per cent is roughly a standard that would be true, all across Canada. What happens is that the MACA assesses the land based on several factors: location of force is always important; whether the land is developed or surveyed; or whether there is a...

Yes. As mentioned previously, we are attempting to regularize land use planning in the Northwest Territories. Hopefully with agreements with Aboriginal groups. It is a complex issue. In the meantime, as has been mentioned, there are interim arrangements that will take place through management planning for recreational lease and the Yellowknife peripheral area so that there can be some certainty in land leasing prior to comprehensive land claims being settled.

Mr. Speaker, the government is, of course, working to establish effective and durable relationships with the Aboriginal government on land use planning. In those areas where there is no plan that has been established or agreed upon, we are developing under the recreational leasing management framework in the Yellowknife peripheral area plans that will assist us in the interim before land use plans are finalized with Aboriginal groups. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would have to consult with the department to determine how soon we could provide that to Members opposite.

Yes, of course, the department is always interested in engaging stakeholders as we move forward. In particular, as I referenced earlier, there is this complex area of equity leases that we are looking at from both an Honour-of-the-Crown position, if I can put it that way, and also looking at our legal obligations that may exist under these leases. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

One of the advantages to the tenant is certainty of tenure. By granting a lease, of course, a person is given rights, the surface rights to the property, and that is certainly something that is very valuable. The revenue that is collected, however the government collects it, whether it's through regular taxation or through leases, of course would go into general revenue to provide all the services we provide to our citizens.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned earlier, our lease rate is based on 10 per cent of the assessed value. We are looking at the whole regime, if I can put it that way, of taxation, but I am not prepared to commit to the specific plan suggested by the Member opposite.