Anawak seeks to lower Iqaluit interest rate

Rankin Inlet North MLA Jack Anawak, who has taken quite an interest in Iqaluit politics of late, is seeking a reduction in the interest rate the City of Iqaluit charges delinquent taxpayers.

He asked Peter Kilabuk, the minister of community government and transportation, to consider amending the Cities, Towns and Villages Act to reflect current interest rates.

The act stipulates that the City of Iqaluit can charge up to 24 per cent in interest on unpaid property tax bills. But the rate was set in the 1980s when interest rates were high, Anawak said.

The federal government, for instance, charges in the range of seven per cent, he added.

“Perhaps we can look into the matter. I can’t really say anything else at this time,” Kilabuk said.

“I’m looking for a very small change to the act,” Anawak insisted. “Interest rates have been lower for quite some time in southern Canada.”