Thank you. Mr. Chairman, because there is another provision here providing that aboriginal people can use these lands in the municipalities for certain purposes, in which they are exempt, especially using them for traditional pursuits. For example, using them to establish trappers' cabins, or set up a camp, or set up a tent frame inside the municipal boundaries.
In the case of Inuvik, the municipality tried to evict aboriginal people off these lands, but they were Gwich'in lands. They were undeveloped lands. They were living in tent frames and tents. The community tried to evict them. Under the land claim agreement, it is clear that those lands are not included under the classification of improved lands. They have the right as aboriginal people to use these lands for traditional purposes.
Has the department looked at how your laws or legislation is taking away an aboriginal right that an aboriginal group has retained through a land claim agreement, to be able to use these lands in municipalities at no cost, in which they can build cabins? They can set tent frames. They can put a fish camp if they want on these properties and not be penalized for it, or be evicted from it. That was a good example of what has happened to some Gwich'in people living in Inuvik.
Yet you as a government are a signatory to this agreement, but you did not amend your laws or make an attempt to ensure that the people who are imposing taxes or putting these tax bills forth, make them aware that these laws apply and have to be adhered to. This agreement overrides this legislation here because this is protected under federal legislation. These type of incidents are still happening. As a municipality with a responsibility for municipal taxes, you do ensure that you make an attempt to at least strive for improving the way this tax regime is to reflect what is in the agreements. That is just one of them.