Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you for the question. I really don't have that kind of information in front of me. All I want to say, though, is that the way that these fees are set up, if you were remortgaging at $300,000, you will pay a certain fee. If you are remortgaging at $250,000, you will pay a smaller fee. That is how the system is set up. Again, I don't have the kind of information that the Member is asking me about as to the number of these types of transactions and so on. I simply don't have that information. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Next, we have Ms. Green, clause 7.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I find it a bit rich that my colleagues are here now excoriating the Minister for phasing in this fee increase when that was the agreement that we came to. On a $500,000 house, the increase after three years would be $350 on the land transfer. The person buying the $500,000 house would be spending an extra $350. It is my argument that if someone can afford $500,000 dollars for a house, they can afford an additional $350 for the land transfer tax.

Further, I don't want my colleagues to lose sight of the fact that this is an omnibus bill. If it is rejected, we lose the opportunity to help small landlords recover their costs, and we also lose the opportunity to give parents who are receiving child support the opportunity for a more efficient way to receive recalculation services. I would ask my colleagues to think very carefully about putting their own self-interests ahead of the interests of the people of the NWT. Thank you.

---Applause

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Turned into a real socialist Assembly. I'll just clarify the record that a clause can be defeated. It doesn't mean the bill is defeated. It just means the clause is removed. If the nay votes take this vote, the clause is removed, but the bill is not defeated just to clarify that for the record. Anything further? Mr. Testart, you already spoke to this. Do you have another issue? Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would request a division on clause 7 and that the vote be recorded. Thank you.

Recorded Vote

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. The Member has requested a recorded vote on clause 7. All those in favour or all those who approve? One second. Let me get the language right, here, since we are recording this. This is the first time that this has happened in this Assembly. All those in favour of clause 7, please rise.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

All those opposed to Clause 7, please rise.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

All those abstaining, please rise. The results of the recorded vote: 12 in favour, three opposed. Clause 7 stands.

---Carried

Clause 8.

---Clauses 8 through 11 inclusive approved

Committee, I will return to the bill title and number. Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act. Does committee agree?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. To the bill as a whole, does committee agree that Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act is ready for a third reading?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Bill 58 is ready for third reading. Does committee agree this concludes our consideration of Bill 58?