Some people in Tlicho communities do not technically own their own homes, according to their MLA, Jane Weyallon Armstrong.
The issue stems from a difficulty transferring land and property titles between people. In some cases, this occurs when an Elder passes away, and the property they intended to leave to their children remains in their own name SA国际影视传媒� sometimes for years. In other instances, Elders have attempted to transfer their property into their children's names, only to be slowed down by complex bureaucratic processes. In either situation, a lawyer is required, and the process of transferring the title can cost up to $40,000, according to the MLA.
Weyallon Armstrong estimates at least 50 people are dealing with this issue in Behchoko, Whati, Gameti and Wekweeti. She suspects the issue exists in communities outside her riding too.
"It's very frustrating for them," the legislator told SA国际影视传媒 on March 18.
There are numerous complications that can arise for people in this predicament. One of the major issues is that, if their home is still in somebody else's name, they cannot apply for government-funded home repairs.
"They don't qualify for government repair programs because the title is not in their name, or it's in a deceased family member's name," said Weyallon Armstrong. "They can't get a loan or anything like that to fix up their house... there's government programs, but they can't access the programs."
She believes the solution to the problem is a change in policy that will make it easier to transfer land and property titles between family members.
She has contacted the GNWT about this possibility, and at the March 13 session of the legislative assembly, she submitted four written questions to Premier R.J. Simpson, who is also the territory's justice minister.
Her questions were as follows:
1. How many properties in the Northwest Territories are currently registered in the name of deceased individuals?
2. What specific legal steps are required to transfer ownership from a deceased titleholder to the rightful heirs under the current land title system?
3. How does the Department of Justice facilitate the identification of rightful heirs, and what actions must be taken to resolve any title issues, including any specific declarations that must be made to the Land Titles Office?
4. For properties in the Tlicho region that have not been surveyed or registered with the Land Titles Office, what legal process exists for establishing ownership and what steps must a resident take to begin the land survey and title registration process under current Northwest Territories law?
Simpson will have 30 days to provide a response, according to Weyallon Armstrong. Once his answers have been obtained, she hopes to identify the next steps required to resolve the situation.
It may take some time, but she is "optimistic" a resolution is possible.
"I know the government wants to make some changes too to accommodate the people," she said. "This is really affecting a lot of our NWT residents, especially in small communities.
"It's a shame."
