How to make Iqaluit’s deadbeats pay up

I am offering suggestions to you, Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik, that could result in a decrease in the amount of money hat is owed to the city by those who refuse to pay their property taxes.

I offer the suggestions as I was disappointed to read in Nunatsiaq News the comments of the city’s senior finance officer, Denise Hutchings, who apparently said that the city is not doing anything new to address the deadbeat tax-dodgers. This is not an acceptable answer as it reflects a laxity attitude which over time, will make this problem even more difficult to resolve.

My first suggestion is for you to review the list as I can identify employees that work for the city. I suggest you make payroll recoveries from such employees.

I have seen many smiling pictures of you and the premier of Nunavut in Nunatsiaq News.

So, my second suggestion is that you take advantage of what appears to be a good working relationship with the premier and ask that she do payroll recoveries from GN employees who are not paying their property taxes.

My third suggestion is take those deadbeats who owe less than $10,000 to the small claim court. This legal tool is available to your staff and should be taken advantage of. Surely your staff is aware of such legal provisions at their disposal?

My fourth suggestion is to take all incorporated organizations to court. While this might be an administrative burden and time-consuming for your staff, you need to take such action so that you can show the citizens of Iqaluit that you are really trying to resolve the problem and that you do not have a laxity attitude.

And finally, my fifth suggestion is that you change your by-laws so that any person or organization that is in tax arrears does lose their right to vote in ratepayers’ referendums. You have the right to do this.

P. Kooneeloosie
Iqaluit

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