Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I cannot support the motion. Currently, Bill 18 provides an exemption for the Government of the Northwest Territories and individuals on medical travel. It also provides an exemption for persons staying in accommodation for more than 30 days in a row for less than $20 night. The substantial amendment proposed by SCOGO would eliminate these exemptions and instead include an exemption for all residents of the Northwest Territories.
The exemptions included in Bill 18 were researched and analyzed prior to including them in the legislative proposal and formed a key component of our department's consultation with the community governments for which these amendments will apply. The exemptions included in the bill strike a balance of the input received through our stakeholder consultation and reflects an approach that all stakeholders can support.
Through our market analysis, we found that reliable data on the different types of hotel stays was not available. I therefore cannot support changes to the legislation without fully understanding the intended and unintended consequences of the changes to the exemptions.
Finally, but most importantly, MACA has worked very closely with community governments throughout the development of this legislative initiative. To change the provisions of the bill in this manner at this late stage without their involvement does not support our process on partner engagements. Thank you, Mr. Chair.