Louis Sebert

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.

The Land Pricing Policy was developed in 1997, and as the Member mentioned, it is being reviewed. Now, the mill rate is a municipal rate which each municipality sets to determine the amount of money that is required to be raised from local taxpayers. That is different in each community, so the mill rate has to do with taxation. The lease rate, that I have referred to, has to do with leasing of the land itself.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I can make that commitment. I will keep Members of this house fully appraised as to progress.

As the name would imply, it is dealing with recreational lands. Again, much of the Northwest Territories, there are comprehensive land use plans established by those areas that there are not. These are seen as interim steps.

Yes, I think Members opposite could expect that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I have mentioned earlier, we are looking at the minimum lease changes. Certainly, we have been consulting with Aboriginal and other stakeholders, and I imagine I could provide a list of consultations that have taken place and those that are planned.

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.