Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have heard from many sources that this government wants to encourage the private homeownership market, and the property tax rebate was introduced, by the government, as a measure to increase private ownership, it was a method of encouraging the private ownership of homes in the north.
As the Minister pointed out in his opening remarks, this is going to save the government $245,000, which in comparison to the amount of deficit, is insignificant. We think it is a step in the wrong direction when it comes to encouraging people to own their own homes. The other thing, is that it was undertaken without any consultation. There was never any notice given to municipalities, that this sort of initiative was going to be stopped. There was no consultation with M.L.A.s, and this is one of those areas in which, especially, those of us within the tax-based municipalities, can certainly feel some effect. I know that everybody who represents a tax-based municipality has had calls, and letters from people who were quite shocked that this had taken place, that the government was going to cut the rebate. There was never an announcement. The only time the people found out, was when they went into the municipality to apply for the rebate, and found out that on the form, it was for $300 this year, instead of $400. I think it is sending out the wrong message. If we want to encourage people to own their own homes, you do not start cutting back on programs that were initiated in order to encourage them to do it. I would hope that the government will consider reinstating it, especially in light of this motion. Thank you.