Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, people in my riding are experiencing serious issues around land tenure. Members from the Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding can't buy land, and the current lease structure is a barrier to securing property. A lack of tenure limits residents' ability to obtain mortgage or benefit from government programs like those offered by the NWT Housing Corporation, programs that would make a positive difference in the lives of those people. Instead, land is rented from the Government of the Northwest Territories at 10 per cent of the value per year. Ideally, that would be rent to purchase the unit. For example, people could pay 10 per cent of the value for 10 years, and then they would become landowners. But Mr. Speaker, people are required to pay this amount as long as they live there, and most people can't afford that. Now there are arrears with no relief in sight. Property tax arrears include substantial interest, 15 per cent per year. If arrears continue to go up, people could face the sale of their homes.
The current Property Assessment and Taxation Act does not allow for discount on payments of arrears in the General Tax Area. Another serious concern is a lack of provision for the eventual settlement of the Akaitcho Territorial Government land claim agreement in this area. It does not state how, currently, a rent structure will fit into the land claim process. It doesn't consider rent being charged to future land claim beneficiaries on what is rightfully their own land. I don't know how their arrears will be dealt with when the land claims are settled. The NWT Metis Nation Agreement-In-Principle states that the government and the Metis Nation will discuss real property taxation assistance as part of the final agreement negotiations. Prior to the final agreement, existing interest on Metis land would be identified. There are critical points as it relates to the issue of affordable rents being charged for the lots in this riding. I understand other residents in the Northwest Territories deal with similar land tenure and taxation issues in their regions. This government must make it a priority and find a solution. I urge Cabinet to work with our land claim organizations to resolve this increasingly serious issue.
