Nunavut property owners owe nearly $3.3M in tax arrears
About half of that is owed by Shear Minerals for its abandoned Jericho diamond mine
Property owners in Nunavut owe the government nearly $3.3 million in property tax arrears, according to a list released this week.
The list encompasses all property taxes in arrears in Nunavut communities other than Iqaluit.
Jeff Chown, comptroller general for Nunavut, says publishing this list is one of the ways they're looking 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 $1,900 for a property in Arctic Bay and $3.100 for 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 been sold."
Compared to Shear Minerals, Kheraj is small potatoes.
The mining company owes more than $1.5 million in property tax arrears on its abandoned 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 cent of property owners in Nunavut are in good standing on their taxes, and nearly half those in arrears owe less than $1,000.
By comparison Iqaluit has more than $3 million in unpaid property tax from 72 properties.