Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e there is a huge issue with land tax and land lease arrears. The problem is that taxes and leases are levied on people while the common understanding from the people is that all charges for land and taxes on their properties will be sorted out after the land, resources and government negotiations with Akaitcho are completed. Right now Akaitcho is engaged with the federal government and territorial government in negotiations.
However, invoices are being sent out to people in both communities and now some of the invoices are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, most of which is interest. It appears as though the Department of Finance is not considering the understanding of the Tu Nedhe residents and their negotiations with the governments.
At this time many of my constituents are beginning to panic under such large bills and the fear that if they wait until the negotiations are complete, they will either lose their properties through tax sales or accumulate bills that are well beyond their ability to pay. Some constituents are now at that stage.
I’ve spoken many times in this House about low employment rates, poor housing and the high cost of living in Tu Nedhe. All of those are factors that contribute to the problem that I present today.
With limited incomes, Tu Nedhe constituents are asked to deal with their own housing repairs, because up until now land tax arrears made them ineligible for any sort of funding from the NWT Housing Corporation to fix their house. Also, the people in Tu Nedhe live in communities where there is a very high cost of living. Food is expensive, and gasoline needed to harvest traditional foods is also very expensive.
I don’t have to draw a full picture here. I think the government can see when there are limited income opportunities and high cost of living, there is nothing left over to pay property taxes. The people in Tu Nedhe are left with an option: you pay your land taxes or feed your kids. I know what most people will do.
Later today I will have questions for the Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
