Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement is about the new land development and pricing policy of the GNWT. At this time, my concern is with the land pricing policy particularly. Mr. Speaker, over the past two years land leases for residential lots in the small communities went from a minimum of $100 per year to $250 per year. Under the new pricing policy, this cost will rise to $600 per year, minimum. The question is, why should the new pricing policy be applied to existing lots rather than only to the newly developed lots?
Mr. Speaker, I do not object to the present policy as it applies to the new lots. There was much discussion in the committees as to the new land development policy and the pricing policy being combined to work together where hamlets would be able to collect proper revenue in order to meet their payments for the loans that they would be purchasing. However, I object to the new policy as it applies to the old or existing lots in the communities because the new land pricing policy that we discussed, I was under the impression, did not apply to the old existing lots. I am not aware that this government had proper consultation with the communities before they put this in place.
I am also a bit concerned on one hand saying communities are empowered under community empowerment but on the other hand we say that the minimum you will charge for a lot is $600. That is like forcing something on them rather than them agreeing to it themselves. Therefore, at the appropriate time today, Mr. Speaker, I will be directing questions to the Minister of MACA on this subject. Thank you.