Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes I do. Thank you. This bill is the result of a partnership between the department and NWT Association of Municipalities. The Association has participated in the municipal legislation review since it first began in May, 1995. We are very grateful for the important contribution made by the members and the staff of the association, in particular, President Dennis Bevington. We look forward to continuing this partnership through the next phase of the legislation review. The association was represented at both the steering committee and the working group levels of the review committee. The working group also included representatives from the Association of Municipal Administrators of the NWT and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. I believe that the participation of the stakeholders, as well as experienced staff, has resulted in amendments that will work.
I know that communities are looking forward to these amendments. Many of the changes in this bill are long overdue. Some of the changes will be important for community empowerment, especially the new provisions allowing hamlets and chartered communities to borrow on a long term basis for land development. The new provision allows communities to enter into agreements with the GNWT to receive responsibility for programs and services.
Other provisions will simply make it easier for municipalities to carry out their day-to-day businesses. At this time, I would like to acknowledge the important role the Standing Committee on Infrastructure has played throughout the process of developing this bill. They have been very supportive of our goal of making changes to legislation, which will strengthen community government. I thank them for their support.
I should indicate to committee members that some changes were made to the bill during the review by the Standing Committee on Infrastructure. The most important change is the removal of the tax sales provisions. The other recommendation concerns minor changes to the provisions on the chief municipal electoral officer, long-term leasing of personal property and refunds for over-payments of property taxes. I am pleased to say I am in full support of these changes. I would be happy to discuss these changes in more detail later.
This bill represents phase 1 of the municipal legislation review. Many of the amendments of the bill are in response to resolutions passed by the Association of Municipalities at its annual general meetings. Other necessary changes were identified by GNWT staff. The primary goal for phase 1 of our legislation review was to make changes needed right away to help councils meet their responsibilities. I believe we have achieved this goal.
This bill is only the first step. Our next goal will be to rewrite the tax sales provision and re-introduce them as a new bill. Changes to the broadened municipal borrowing powers could also be included in this bill. At the same time, we will be pursuing phase 2, which will produce broader changes to the powers and responsibilities of community governments.
As I said a moment ago, the participation of the Association of Municipalities and other stakeholders have been invaluable to the legislative review. I believe this bill is an example of high quality results that meaningful consultation can produce. I am confident that I can assure committee members that these amendments will benefit all NWT residents by helping community governments to do their jobs more effectively. Thank you, Madam Chair.