Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Certainly, both inside this House and outside this House, I did hear loud and clear that people felt that the 10 per cent was too much. I agree with that. Therefore, the amount that we are looking at is half of that, which is 5 per cent of the assessed value. That is the value of the land. If there are improvements on it, that won't affect the lease for the land. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for that answer. That is a positive step. Five per cent is a really good step. Has the department looked at the 3 per cent number and is the department willing to share that number with us? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

I did think about other amounts myself and thought that clearly a reduction from the 10 per cent was warranted and felt that 5 per cent was reasonable. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. He didn't answer my question. I understand what he thinks is reasonable. I am asking: did the department look at 3 per cent when they were coming up with the numbers? I heard 5, and I understand that is the number that the department looked at, but did the department look at 3 per cent, and if they did, do they have those numbers that they can share with us? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

I felt, Mr. Chair, that cutting it in half was very reasonable. I don't know whether Mr. Hagen wants to add anything to that. I think it is important to remember that, overall, the department is not turning a profit on leases. We are administering an area double the size of most European countries. It is an expensive, complicated process. This isn't making money for us, as I understand it. I will let Mr. Hagen add to that if he wishes.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Hagen.

Thank you, Mr. Hagen. Next on the list we have Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, along the same line, I would like to have seen 3 per cent as well, but I am satisfied with 5 per cent. My question is, although I don't want to go too far into the weeds, it is a question of what the possibility is for individuals who have incomes that are pension income, I forget what you call that type of income, but people who don't have a regular income where they are working and potential for them to have greater possibility of increasing their income. Fixed income. People with fixed incomes like pensioners and so on. Is it a possibility that they could pay for their leases on a monthly basis? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, of course, people could pay on a monthly basis. I see there is a note here that informs me that, under section 3 of the Income Assistance Policy Manual, applicants who reside on Commissioner's lands, the Department of Lands, or the NWTHC may qualify for monthly allowance to assist in the cost of the land lease. I wasn't aware of that. It appears there are avenues to assist people who find themselves in the position that you have mentioned. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, my second question is on the status of the particular lots. Previously, there were areas that were maybe earmarked for commercial development and the commercial development areas don't pan out, so they end up essentially being strictly residential lots. I would like to know if the department has a process in which individuals who find themselves on commercial lots, which appear to have a higher value. I am only saying appear because I am seeing one side of the road that is commercial with a residential property and one side that is a residential lot with a residential property, of course, being quite different in costs. I would like to ask the department if it is possible to switch land status, essentially, from one type to another type. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister Sebert.

Yes, that certainly is a problem in some communities. We do recognize that. It seems to me that what is needed perhaps is a zoning change, so that could be dealt with through MACA, but I will let Mr. Hagen add to that if he wishes to assist.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Hagen.

Thank you, Mr. Hagen. Minister Sebert.

I would just like to add that sometimes getting zoning changes, that type of request, it could be a little bit difficult, and I can't speak for MACA, but generally they don't like to do spot zoning. Maybe if there is a whole section of land involving several properties, that might be easier to have rezoned than a single property, which would then have a different zoning designation than the properties around it. That could be problematic.