You're wasting my valuable time here.
---Laughter
On Monday of this week, I attended a meeting of the Iqaluit Municipal Advisory Committee with Mr. Robin Beaumont, administrator. Madam Speaker, I can only describe the tone of the meeting as that of tension and extreme frustration.
Members of the Municipal Advisory Committee are feeling a growing sense of frustration. I heard the following comments from advisory committee Members at the meeting: "I am extremely tired of this committee;" "our hands are tied;" "I hate the word recommend;" and, "Between Robin Beaumont and the Minister, there are too many layers of people concerned with process and not common sense."
Madam Speaker, one of the main sources of frustration is land. On February 2, after hearing from a local Inuk who wanted one lot to build a house this summer and who was told that there were no lots presently available, the Municipal Advisory Committee recommended to Mr. Beaumont that, in the short-term, a minimum number of lots be identified for ballot draw by March 31. So, people who want to build houses this summer and become taxpayers can be given lots so they can go ahead.
Madam Speaker, nothing has happened to date. Although we know there are leases that have expired and lots that should be available -- and we know that there are lots which could be developed with minimal cost which are near to road services and on flat land -- because there is no lands officer in the town of Iqaluit and because there's been no apparent action from Municipal Affairs in Yellowknife, there are still no lots available for people who are waiting to meet sea-lift deadlines to make commitments to build houses and to become taxpayers.
Madam Speaker, the land issue must be addressed urgently, and the Municipal Advisory Committee has asked the Minister of Municipal Affairs to come to Iqaluit on an urgent basis to meet with them and deal with it. Thank you.