Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Today I rise in the House to raise an issue that’s been ongoing for quite some time. I am talking about the outstanding issues of property taxes in smaller communities in the Northwest Territories. Madam Speaker, this issue requires cooperation and coordination of two GNWT departments, Municipal and Community Affairs and FMBS, to find an amicable solution that many of the homeowners and ratepayers can live with. I hope this challenge does not impede the process and that the delays in finding an agreeable approach to tackle this issue are dealt with before the end of this taxation year.

Madam Speaker, during my constituency meeting in Deninu Kue, there were many concerns raised about the threatening letters residents received from FMBS stating that their outstanding taxation amounts and the actions they may face like the seizure of their homes that may be publicly auctioned off by this government should these people refuse to abide by the Financial Administration Act and clear their outstanding accounts as soon as possible.

Madam Speaker, one can only imagine the undue stress that this can cause for many of the elders that are receiving these letters. People who are unemployed are receiving these letters and families that are receiving these letters are struggling to make ends meet. I realize that this government cannot wipe the outstanding amounts from the books as this would be deemed unfair to persons who are already paying their share in these communities, but I also realize from my experience that the assessments and the levy of taxation to many of these delinquent accounts cannot be deemed as equitable and fair according to the Property Assessment and Taxation Act.

Madam Speaker, this is the first step that must be taken to rectify this problem in order for this department to conduct an assessment that reflects the true value of the properties, an assessment which is fair and equitable in all aspects, a process that would indeed be agreeable by all parties involved.

I am willing to work diligently with both Ministers to assist them in developing a plan to see some closure to this issue before the new deal rolls out and before the smaller communities are left with this dilemma to deal with; a fair deal that is acceptable, not an approach that conceals the underlying issues at hand.

I am glad to know that the Municipal and Community Affairs Minister has made a commitment in this House to developing a working group to conduct the workshops in the affected communities so that this issue can be concluded by the end of the taxation year 2005. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause