Within some general taxation area communities, there are band lands. Band residents living on band lands do not have to pay municipal taxes as the federal government pays a grant-in-lieu of municipal taxes to the GNWT. Committee members point out that a concern occurs when another band member lives off band land in the same community and has to pay their municipal taxes themselves.

The committee encourages the department and the Department of Finance to work with the federal government to find a fair solution to this taxation disparity. Committee members added that this is an ongoing concern and previous committees have also sought resolution on this.

That concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development, Mr. Chairman.