Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of agriculture has a tremendous potential in the Northwest Territories. Sometimes people don’t think it does and I’m not sure why, because actually we’ve gone backwards in the area of agriculture. Many years ago a lot of the produce that was grown around Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Hay River was actually shipped down the Mackenzie to a lot of other communities and it was quite a thriving activity and endeavour. Many years ago, and it seems like we’ve gone backwards since then. I’m not sure why, but I can’t really say there’s been a tremendous amount of support for this industry from this government. I don’t understand why, because the potential is there; the people who are interested in it are there. We have been trying to get an agriculture policy from this government for the past 12 years. The first request came in 1995. I’d like to ask the new Minister for ITI if he can see any reason why we should not be able to develop and adopt a comprehensive agriculture policy for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Return To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think, as one of your constituents has said previously, we don’t see agriculture as being a dirty four letter word. I’ve always been a supporter of agriculture. In the small communities there has always been agriculture and it’s one way to reduce import replacement. Everybody needs food and if you can grow your own food, it’s something that will help reduce the cost of living. Over the years, this government has undertaken a number of initiatives to support agriculture and as we go through our priority setting exercise, I would hope that we would be able to advance agriculture. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in order to advance agriculture, I think we need an agriculture policy. That’s something that has been wanted by the folks from the Territorial Farmers’ Association for, like I said, a number of years now. Is there any reason why we cannot, within the life of this government, or even sooner, develop such a policy to encourage this activity? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been working in the past with the Territorial Farmers’ Association on a number of initiatives. We have been successful in working with them to negotiate a framework agreement with the federal government which has resulted in funding for agri-food policy. In order to have an agricultural policy that would be effective, there would be a requirement to identify some access to land, and I know the Member has heard that on many occasions. We have identified ways that it could be done whereby we could work with MACA to identify land and move towards lower taxation areas. These are some of the things, the challenges that we would have to deal with, but certainly we can begin to start working on a policy for the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize that access to new land for agriculture is an issue, but there are many people who already do have considerable sized parcels of land for agriculture. However, this government does not recognize a means under our Property Assessment and Taxation Act for there to be a dual use for an assessment on that property. For example, if somebody lives on 40 acres, which is quite possible around Hay River, and they have a house on one acre, they’re going to get taxed for residential rates on the whole parcel of land. We need some small revisions like that that could actually entice people to get involved in this industry. Will the Minister consider speaking to his colleague in MACA about a change to the Property Assessment and Taxation Act to allow more affordable tax assessment for agricultural land in the North? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll have discussions with my colleague and I’m sure I can get him to offer to come to Hay River and make a presentation to the Territorial Farmers’ Association as to exactly what process would have to be followed to do exactly what the Minister is requesting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, that’s good and I’d like to invite both of the Ministers to come to Hay River; at his earliest convenience for Minister McLeod, ITI, to come and meet with the Territorial Farmers’ Association, as well. There are revisions to the PATA, or the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, on our legislative agenda right now. I would want to ask if this particular revision could be incorporated in that revision that’s underway now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 80-16(1): Development Of Territorial Agricultural Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not familiar yet with the legislation she is referring to, but I’m sure that we could address that when we make a presentation. Thank you.