The committee heard from both Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus and Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief Richard Edjericon. Both aboriginal leaders spoke against the tax, citing legal, constitutional and treaty grounds as the essence of their opposition. Chief Edjericon read to the committee a unanimous resolution signed by all chiefs of Akaitcho Treaty 8. The resolution stated that, "the imposition of a hotel tax of five percent by the Government of the Northwest Territories on the Akaitcho Dene people is a treaty violation" and that if such a bill is passed, "Akaitcho (will) take measures to stop the imposition of the tax on Akaitcho people."
Mr. Speaker, I would now like to pass this on to my colleague, Mr. Nitah, the Member for Tu Nedhe, to continue with the report.