Nunavut property owners owe nearly $3.3M in tax arrears

Property owners in Nunavutowe the governmentnearly $3.3 million in property tax arrears, according to a list released this week.

The list encompasses all property taxes in arrears in Nunavut communitiesother than Iqaluit.

Jeff Chown, comptroller general for Nunavut,says publishing this list is one of the ways they'relooking at improving the collection of outstanding debt.

"Up until recent times we have not charged interest on our property taxes," he said. "But we do charge interest now and our current rate is 4.25 per cent."

Not everyone thinks the government's list of arrears is correct.According to the GN,Aziz Kheraj owes more than $26,000, including $1,900for a property in Arctic Bay and $3.100for a property in Pond Inlet.

Kheraj says that's not possible.

"They had us listed for properties in Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay which we haven't owned in 20 years," he said.
They've all beensold."

Compared to Shear Minerals, Kheraj is small potatoes.

The mining company owes more than $1.5 millionin property tax arrears on itsabandoned Jericho Diamond Mine.

Chown says the government will be keeping the Shear Minerals debt on the books.

"At this point the GN is taking a wait and see approach regarding Shear Minerals.The federal government could potentially find a private partner to take over the property, in which case the property tax debt would transfer to that property owner."

Overall,Chown says 88 per centof property owners in Nunavut are ingood standing on their taxes, andnearly half those in arrears oweless than $1,000.

By comparison Iqaluit has more than $3 millionin unpaid property tax from 72 properties.