Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Energy Upgrades and Retrofits through Local Improvement Bylaws
While committee appreciates that support for this proposed amendment to the CTV Act is not universally supported, committee did not hear any substantive input that caused it to consider any amendments to this part of Bill 18. Committee recognizes that there do not appear to be any tax-based municipalities, other than Yellowknife, who are interested in exercising this authority at this time. Committee is comfortable that Bill 18, as written, does not compel participation where a municipality does not desire it.
As fuel costs continue to rise and people look for other ways to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint, innovative approaches to achieving greater energy efficiency will be increasingly in demand. The committee applauds the City of Yellowknife for demonstrating leadership in this area and hopes that other tax-based municipalities can learn from the City of Yellowknife's experience with financing private energy upgrades using local improvement charges.
Clause-by-Clause Review of the Bill
The clause-by-clause review of the bill was held on October 25, 2018. At this review, the committee moved the following motion:
MOTION 1:
To amend clause 2 of Bill 18 by deleting the proposed subclause 70.1(5), which contained the list of exclusions, and replace it with a single exclusion for residents of the Northwest Territories.
Committee feels that this exemption, which would require only that a person paying for accommodations show any proof of residence or government-issued identification card, would simplify administration and ensure that the tax was truly targeting the tourist market as intended.
The Minister did not concur and the motion was defeated.
I would now like to pass the reading on to the Member for Kam Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.