Debates of February 14, 2005 (day 35)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow up to my Member’s statement about the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, I will direct my questions to the Honourable Michael McLeod, Minister of MACA. Mr. Speaker, in March 2001, the Territorial Farmers' Association received correspondence from this government indicating that a major overhaul was about to start sometime in 2002 and that the work would involve organizations like the Territorial Farmers' Association in that process. The TFA, Mr. Speaker, is still awaiting contact from this government on this issue. Mr. Speaker, my question is can the Minister tell us whether the department is working on a comprehensive review of the Property Assessment and Taxation Act and will this work include input from organizations such as the Territorial Farmers' Association? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have received several requests from communities to do a comprehensive review on the PATA. At this time, we intend to do a review over the long term. However, for the immediate future, we are only looking at doing several amendments. We are going to look at the issue of exemptions to land where land is granted through a land use permit and we are also looking at some technical amendments. We haven’t been able to commit to when we will do a comprehensive evaluation or review on the whole act itself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the number of concerns I have heard about PATA over the years and indications that were given just one year ago that the department was working on a full review, I am surprised at the Minister’s response. I would like to know why the department is backing away from a comprehensive review of this act. He referred to some minor amendments. I would like to know if any of those minor amendments will have a positive impact for those people using parcels of land that are indicated as agricultural. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are not backing away from the commitment of doing a review of PATA. We are intending to do it in the future. At this point, we have focussed on a couple of issues. We are still doing some research. We have hired a consultant to do some work on assessing some works and mobile equipment policies that need to be dealt with in that area. Again, at this point, we haven’t made that commitment. We would like to see that done. There has been a request from a number of organizations and communities. So we realize it’s a priority. However, we have still some discussion to do before we make that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for that response. The second part of my question was could the amendments that you are looking at to the act include a response to the concerns raised by people involved in agricultural activities south of the lake? There are some major impediments to them being involved in agriculture given the Property Assessment and Taxation Act as it stands now. Could amendments also encompass their concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point, the amendments the Member is requesting us to take a look at haven’t been included as part of what we are planning to do. My understanding is our department has been having discussions with the Territorial Farmers’ Association, so I will certainly reconsider that request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is good to hear and when the consultant that has been hired is considering amendments to this, I would like to ask the Minister if he could commit to putting out a consultation paper or perhaps holding workshops in Hay River for meeting with the Territorial Farmers' Association to ensure that their input is registered and is reflected in any amendments that come forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure if I can commit to having the consultant work on the request the Member is asking us to look at with the farmers; however, I will consider looking at it as a separate issue. I believe the consultants that have been brought online have already done a lot of work in one area and most of the report is concluded. So it would have to be a separate issue, but we certainly will look at it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.