Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I understand that, but, if we want to move forward, we have got to come up with a plan to work with these people. I mean, that is my challenge, is that I am sitting here right now; we are not having any direction to encourage these people to pay their taxes because we are in trouble with that, so what I am trying to do is come up with a solution. Would the Minister be willing to have his staff go into the community to work with the affected residents to come up with a plan to try to resolve this issue? Just not talking about the...

I thank the Minister for that answer. So, we are talking about possible solutions in there. When we are trying to move forward, would the government be willing to waive the interest fee if the residents come up with a plan to pay the principle of the taxation? I am not asking the taxation to be waived. I am asking if we can come up with a plan to pay for these taxes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that information. Yes, it was a $15,000 taxation, but, you know, you add $55,000 to it, it all becomes a $70,000 tax bill, and some of these people are inheriting these from people as their parents or families are passing away. I guess my understanding is that the Government of the Northwest Territories was a collection agency for these municipalities that are not tax-based, but all of a sudden, you know, they are collecting it, and 48 per cent of it is going to school and 52 per cent to the hamlets, which is great, or the municipality. My...

I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister please explain to us: what is the percentage that the GNWT keeps from collecting the taxation for the community?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, presented the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers to Valerie Gendron of Fort Simpson on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Rideau Hall.

The Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across Canada. Valerie Gendron has been a speed skating coach, a minor hockey coach, a soccer coach, and a mentor with local athletic clubs for more than 17 years.

Val has always been an outgoing and engaging member in our community...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The committee has nothing to add at this time and look forward to the clause-by-clause review of Bill 5. However, other Members may wish to have comments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Development has reviewed Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act, and wish to report that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister. I understand we can go around and around in circles. What I am trying to do is come up with a plan that we can move forward for the residents of Fort Liard. The problem is that somebody made a promise to them and now, no fault of their own, they made a decision that they were not going to pay their taxes, so what we are trying to do is come up with a plan to do it. Previously, the Minister talked about the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, and, if I understand him correctly, outstanding interest charges on property taxes are considered part of the taxation outstanding...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was talking earlier today in my Member's statement about taxation, and I asked the Minister some questions. I would like to follow up with more questions to the Minister of Finance: can the Minister advise, of that $9.6 million, how much is owed in taxes by the residents of the hamlet of Fort Liard and have a breakdown of principle and interest? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. In my Member's statement, you heard me say that the interest rate is coming out at 15 per cent, and it seems to be very high. Was the community consulted or engaged in coming up with this rate?