Louis Sebert

In the brief time since yesterday afternoon, no, I have not ascertained what those costs will be, but I am looking into it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government we have committed in our mandate to improve access to justice for the residents of the NWT. Today, I am pleased to announce an initiative that will assist residents involved in civil or family justice matters.

Members are aware of the Legal Aid Commission’s initiative to provide free legal advice through its Outreach lawyer. This service has proven to be very successful. It has been piloted for the last several years and has provided on-the-ground services in 19 communities. Residents accessing the service do not have to make an application...

As mentioned previously, Mr. Speaker, the vendor chosen, Virdi, had the lowest bid. It was significantly lower than the next bidder, and it was the best overall score in the evaluations. There was a careful evaluation made of the three admittedly competent bidders. We went with the best bidders. We went with the best bid.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I only became aware of this issue today after listening to the news on the CBC this morning. I will undertake to request the figures from the Power Corporation and will, upon receipt, share them with the Member opposite. Thank you.

I think we're talking about two things here: taxes and lease rates. The lease rates, as I say, are based on 10 per cent of the assessed value of the land, and that is consistent throughout the Northwest Territories. They are different things, obviously, taxes and leases, as anybody who owns property knows, and 10 per cent of the assessed value of the land, I suggest, would be a reasonable rental or lease rate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The lease rates are determined by our land pricing policy, which is based on 10 per cent of the assessed value of the land. I understand this is consistent throughout the NWT and, in fact, is the practice across Canada. Thank you.

The Power Corporation, when they became aware of this, this problem of delay, went back to the company, and the company to its credit, to compensate for the lack of delivery, the vendor, Virdi, agreed to cover any additional costs, including the costs of the modular rental units that were brought into Jackfish for the winter of 2017 to ensure reliability. So the company will be absorbing those costs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise that the Power Corporation did order generators from Virdi Power Inc. in June of 2015; I understand that $1.1 million has been paid to the vendor and we're hoping that the generators will arrive by the end of spring. Thank you.

I would not expect that we would. I am not certain whether in Canadian or American dollars the contract was entered into. Often, contracts with American providers are entered into in American dollars. That is simply the way of the world. I am not expecting there to be any significant additional costs as a result of the change of dollar. I am not certain what the contract said about that.

Mr. Speaker, it is conceded that tax and lease rates are controversial in that they can be different in different areas in the sense that, certainly with respect to taxation of properties outside settled boundaries of communities, that is often the subject or sometimes the subject of a treaty or settled land claim. As to progress with respect to those unsettled claims, perhaps that question could be best addressed to the Minister for DAAIR.