Michael McLeod

Yes, Mr. Chairman, that’s correct. If there are certain significant arrears and the municipality is unable to collect them, there is the possibility that the properties could be seized.

Even the NWT can't get a deal like that.

The North has a lot to offer in the way of resources, and everyone is entitled to a good deal that will work for us all. A few leaders in the NWT, our Premier included, know that this project should allow us to be independent and are trying to move it forward.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

I guess the courts would be another avenue.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, it’s our view that this is a process of governments being responsible and also giving the municipal taxation authorities some tools in their toolkit to be able to collect outstanding arrears in the area of water and sewer and other services.

I want to apologize to the members of the committee. During our discussion, there was concern raised about what could qualify and we had to go back and do some research to really spell out the specifics. We have been able to do so, and we’ve been able to define what falls under this category. It’s only services that...

Mr. Speaker, October 9 to 15, 2005 is National Fire Prevention Week and, as such, is a fitting time to announce the recipients of this year’s Northwest Territories Fire Service Merit Awards.

In 2002, our government established the Fire Service Merit Awards to recognize the important contribution of individual firefighters and fire departments in the Northwest Territories. Firefighting is a dangerous occupation. We must not forget the sacrifices that firefighters make and the risk that they face on a daily basis.

In 2005, the department has once again received nominations to recognize the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we’re just making the allowance in legislation. It’s up to the community whether or not they want to incorporate this as part of how they collect their fees.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, with me today I have Debbie DeLancey, the deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, and also, on my right, I have Sheila Bassi-Kellett, the director of corporate affairs with MACA, and Mara Heder who is the counsel with Department of Justice.

We’ll have our legal counsel answer.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and honourable Members. I am pleased to speak to you today about Bill 9, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development who conducted the public hearing on Tuesday, October 11th. Those Members were Mr. Menicoche, Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Hawkins under the able leadership of Mrs. Groenewegen, the chair, and they provided very thoughtful questions and comments on the proposed amendments. Bill 9 contains three amendments to the municipal statutes, which include the...

Mr. Chairman, the comments may be a little outside of what we’re talking about in terms of amendments here. We’re not asking for an amendment so the government can start collecting water bills and sewer bills. The municipalities already do that. The municipalities already collect property taxes. In the case of transferring the unpaid charges, it only applies to tax-based municipalities. If the Member is saying how can we fix something we couldn’t fix, the responsibility has always been with the taxation body that collects it. This procedure was in place since the 1970s. There was an error when...