Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about land leases, land taxes and the confusion and unfairness surrounding this issue in the community of Fort Providence. Mr. Speaker, this has been an ongoing issue for many years now and is resulting in a considerable burden of outstanding arrears to the land division. Many of these people are low-income earners and do not have the ability to pay.

I have constituents, Mr. Speaker, who live in houses built by Indian Affairs 30 or 40 years ago. These people have lived in the same house, on the same piece of land all these years without having to pay leases or taxes, and lately they have been told that they are living on Commissioner's land and they have to pay for living on these lands.

Mr. Speaker, the situation is very stressful for my constituents, especially when the territorial and federal governments seem to be confused on this issue. They cannot tell us when the lands in question were transferred from Indian Affairs to the GNWT. The GNWT claims that they are trying to straighten out their files and they cannot find the records of transfer yet. The federal government tells us that their records are in a mess and they want time to sort it out. In the meantime, the people in my riding have to live with the possibility of eviction from property they thought belonged to them.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, as everyone is well aware, the lands in the Deh Cho are currently the subject of negotiations between the Deh Cho First Nations and the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories. The lands in question could very well be part of lands that are selected by the Deh Cho First Nations.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge this government to put a moratorium on charging First Nation residents of Fort Providence taxes or lease payments until this matter is sorted out. This, I think, would show respect for the people of Fort Providence in the bargaining process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause