Shane Thompson

I thank the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Lands please advise this House when the Government of the Northwest Territories stopped offering equity lease in unsettled claim areas?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Brenda Morrow and her daughter Victoria, and I'm not going to say your last name because my face will turn red because I can't say it right, Kim Doyle, and Nicole Latour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take you, this House, on a journey. Just imagine you dream of purchasing a brand new truck. You get yourself a job, start saving money, enough money to make a down payment on the vehicle of your dreams. After a few months, you have saved enough money to make the down payment, pay the registration and insurance. You are excited. You head off to the dealership and work out a deal that includes monthly lease payments for the next 60 months, and you have to make a final lump payment at the end of the 60 months. Then this vehicle is yours. You are happy...

I'd like to thank the Minister for his answer. I guess it's a little different than what I've heard in the past so I'll have to follow up later on. It is my understanding there has been no sales of lands under the type of equity leases that occur in my riding. Now, I've heard that there is an exception to this comment and that Cassidy Point lands which has happened this past sales of the lands, have happened this past year where there's been a historical commitment to provide fee simple title. Can the Minister explain how Cassidy Point land which is an unsettled area can be sold and the same...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today you heard my Member’s statement about a huge concern about land use for small communities on settled claim areas. On March 3rd, 2016, my colleague from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh addressed similar issues. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Lands. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Lands please advise this House what the difference is between a regular lease and an equity lease? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Much to my surprise, the equity lease does not transfer the land fees simple, or the land in simple fees upon the payment of the total rental. To make things even more interesting, the constituent has to sign the new lease, and there isn't any more equity leases. Now so you need to apply for a new lease, which gives this person no equity. This newer lease will be ten per cent of the assessed value each year of the newer lease. In other words, the constituent has to pay the total assessed value of the property every ten years, which has gone up...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and the Minister for his answer. He answered part of it but he didn't answer the second part, but I'll work on that a little bit later on. With the number of outstanding issues with the lands in our small communities, will the Minister make a commitment to have his department get out there and provide the information to the residents especially elders and equity lease owners out in my riding, so they understand the process so they can actually afford to live in our ridings? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for the answer. I guess I struggle because these modular homes are not being built in the Northwest Territories. They are being brought in from down south, and put into our communities. When the Minister talks about employment, it's for Northerners, in my community a pad gets built. These companies come in, drop the modular homes down. They bring their own food, their own gas, and their own accommodation. We don't even see any economy here. Will the Minister be willing to work with us Regular Members in our communities to see if modular homes...

I thank the Minister for the answer. As I was on the campaign trail, this was a huge issue for my constituents with limited employment. Can the Minister tell us if the Housing Corporation considered the impact modular homes would have on the economy, trades, and potential business in these communities where these modular homes are going?

I thank the Minister for that answer and I look forward to meeting with him on the audit. I guess my struggle is that the people of Nahendeh have lots of concerns, and they are feeling like their voices are not being heard. In saying that, will the Minister and his staff be willing to come to the region and listen to the residents' concerns and recommendations to help improve the health and social services system in Nahendeh, and potentially have an impact on the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.