Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue that affects our seniors population in the North. Mr. Speaker, I thought this would be particularly appropriate at this time, as just last week, during Seniors' Week, we spoke so eloquently in this House about how this government should fully support our seniors.
The issue I wish to draw your attention to, Mr. Speaker, is the issue of property tax relief for seniors. Mr. Speaker, senior citizens and disabled persons may apply for property tax relief under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act. Mr. Speaker, in tax-based communities such as Hay River, MACA provides 50 percent of the property tax relief and local governments in the communities provide the other 50 percent. In other communities, MACA provides property tax relief directly to the eligible property owners.
Mr. Speaker, a concern was raised to me recently that a senior citizen in Hay River, and a constituent of mine, who had reached the age of 65 had to pay the full amount of the property tax for the coming year. This was due to the fact that his spouse was still working.
Mr. Speaker, the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act basically states that if one member of the household is working, then this family member is not dependent on the senior citizen, thus the senior citizen does not require any support from this government to pay his bills.
Mr. Speaker, this act was written back in 1989 and does not reflect the true cost of living today or the cost of maintaining a home. I suggest that this act be changed. If we need to justify the change, Mr. Speaker, we can borrow a line used by our honourable Finance Minister. When looking for support to increase the BCC loan limit from $1 million to $2 million, he said, "This limit has been in place for roughly ten years. Accordingly, it is time for change."
Mr. Speaker, residents in the nine NWT communities do not pay property tax. I think it is inappropriate for this government to penalize senior citizens who live in tax-based communities by making them pay the full amount of their property tax. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause