Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would like to bring in my deputy minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to the committee about the Act to Amend the Property Taxation and Assessment Act. This bill proposed to alleviate any potential liability that might be caused by technological or human resource problems while completing the 1998/99 Certified Assessment Roll for all properties within the General Taxation Area on October 31, 1998.

Even though the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs does not anticipate that such an event will occur, the amendment provides a welcome level of security. The bill proposes to change the "nine years" to "ten years" in Section 12 of the act. This simple change removes an undue liability on this government. Mr. Chairman, with this change, all of the safeguards which ensure timely and effective assessment of property remains intact.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, I am satisfied that the proposed change to ten year will ensure that the GNWT does not find itself in the difficult position of potentially losing millions of dollars in tax revenue solely because we are the victims of an unforeseen event. Thank you.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the Clyde River review of the budget that was presented to us, I do not have it with me at this time. I will take this question as notice and I will inform my officials to work with the Hamlet of Clyde River. I will get back to this question after I consult with my officials. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the municipal financing review working group and the task team have been meeting a number of times on this issue. We have had to do a lot of consultation on this finance review. In May of 1998, we presented two discussion documents on this municipal finance review and the building concepts, two books on that. We have had comments that says, why not wait until land claims and self-government negotiations are settled in the west?

As a government, we have been very fair with Rae-Edzo. During the Member's statement, he said they have two above ground pools, two fire departments, two fire stations, two water

and sewage systems. We have been pretty fair with the two communities. The report is going through consultation. That is why it is taking quite a long time. I am hoping the recommendations will be presented in the 1999 annual meeting at the NWTAM in Cambridge Bay, which is happening in March. That is the process we are following. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will be bringing staff over to deal with this.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not know the reasoning behind the 190 litres for people on the utilidor and also 90 litres a day for each person with a trucked service. It may have to do with the size of the lake with the utilidor attached to it and the size of the tank on the truck. I am committed to go to Tuktoyaktuk in the very near future right after this session to deal with the issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Jerry Ell, who is my cousin. I want people to understand that they will be holding a conference and an important meeting. I want people to know that they can talk to Jerry if they are interested. Thank you. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituents of Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet and Repulse Bay and all of Keewatin residents, I would just like to make an announcement. I had also talked about this last spring in Inuktitut on the radio. After I made a trip to China. I reported on all the issues we were dealing with over there. Just recently, there was a press release and announcement on sealskins being harvested in Baffin Island. I feel that this is a very important issue for all Nunavut region. There will be a meeting in Iqaluit regarding this issue with the Chinese businessmen, so I just wanted to notify the people of their area. I think they would be very interested in this upcoming meeting in Iqaluit. I want the people of the Keewatin to be aware of this meeting. I am sure it will affect the people of the Keewatin region as well as Kitikmeot. I would like the people of Keewatin to try to check into this meeting, so they can attend some meetings if they are interested in the sealing industry. People should make themselves involved with this very important initiative and I just wanted my constituents to be aware of this . Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 34(6) so that all Ministers' statements filed with the Clerk can be delivered today.