IBC seeks five-year property tax break

The Inuit Broadcasting Corp. wants a five-year property-tax break on a new state-of-the-art television studio and headquarters it plans to build in Iqaluit.

IBC vice-president Madeleine D’Argencourt told Iqaluit council members at their Aug. 11 meeting the organization hopes to start laying the foundation for its 8,000-square-foot media arts centre this fall at lot 870 on Federal Road.

She asked the city to exempt IBC from property taxes on the building, estimated to cost $10 million, for five years — as a gesture of support for the corporation’s important cultural work for Inuit.

The building will house audio, video, recording, performance and post production facilities for IBC and freelance use, as well as audio-visual archives and offices.

Acting mayor Simon Nattaq said council will consider the request and make a decision at a future meeting.