Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, honourable Members. As I was saying, a home owner in Fort Smith or Hay River will pay approximately $225 in school taxes. In Inuvik, a home owner will pay the comparatively high amount of about $250. However, Madam Speaker, in Yellowknife, the owner of a similar home would pay a whopping $878.88.
Madam Speaker, given these comparisons, it is no wonder that Yellowknife Education District No. 1 is concerned that without a firm agreement with the Minister of Education, residents of Yellowknife might have to pay even higher taxes to cover the cost of operating and maintaining Sir John. This is especially important given the extensive and expensive renovations planned for the school over the next few years.
Madam Speaker, I hope that the Minister of Education will consider this issue carefully. Not only must he provide a way of reassuring Yellowknife Education District No. 1 that they will not be left holding the bag for Sir John, but they must also consider the issue of equitable school taxes in Yellowknife and the rest of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
---Applause