Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware as to whether the difference between tax- and non-tax-based communities is used in the Lands department. Perhaps the question would be more properly addressed to MACA, but I will check on that. Thank you.

There is, of course, no seniors' discount currently on territorial lands, but the department is looking at implementing similar provisions for residential leases on territorial lands as is currently available on Commissioner's lands. So it's a question of, really, bringing together the two types of leases, and they should be similar, at least, so we certainly are looking at the change which the Member opposite has proposed. Certainly, there have been increases, but, as I mentioned, there was a reduction in residential lease fees on Commissioner's land from 10 per cent to 5 per cent of assessed...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I had mentioned previously, these rates have not been changed for many years, and we wanted to have consistency with our leasing rates, so therefore these changes which the Member opposite is alluding to were felt to be reasonable. Costs have increased considerably over the last 15 or 20 years, and we thought that these increases, which are significant, are reasonable. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, be read for the second time. This bill amends the Revolving Funds Act to increase the authorized limit of the Liquor Revolving Fund. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Certainly, the issue of taxation of cabins has come up in our discussions with Aboriginal groups, in particular the Metis. I can't speak to how that issue has been dealt with at negotiating tables, because I am not directly involved at that level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am not aware of the situation when the federal government was in control of those lands referred to by the Member opposite, and I am not certain when a decision was made, if, in fact, there was a change, to tax those lands by the territorial government. I could consult with my confreres in Finance and MACA to determine that, but I wasn't aware of the tax situation prior to devolution.

As I mentioned previously, there had been, in questions asked by the Member opposite last week, considerable discussion about this issue and including, I believe, a story in the press. Each leaseholder was advised in writing by the department of the changes to lease fees, so they were advised on an individual basis. Now, the fees will be determined by the nature of your lease, so, if there is a lease for a period ending, let's say, in the year 2020 at the current rate before April 1st, that will still be in effect until the year 2020, so the increase in rates will not occur until that time.

Now...

As mentioned previously, there had not been an increase in a considerable amount of time. Listening carefully to the concerns that had been raised in this House, we did implement a reduction of residential lease fees to 5 per cent of assessed value, down from 10 per cent, so we felt that that was assisting those residents, most of whom would be living in their own houses on those properties, so that was an actual reduction in fees.

Yes. As you have heard, the project is hopefully to be completed by the end of June, and I understand that inmates will have access to the larger exercise yard beginning this summer. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 14, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018, be read for the second time. This bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in the statutes of the Northwest Territories. The bill also deals with other matters of a minor, non-controversial, and uncomplicated nature in the statutes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.