The City of Yellowknife will hold a public hearing on Monday as it seeks to amend wording of a land administration bylaw that caused some territorial concern.
Bylaw 5107, which amends an earlier bylaw, does only one thing. It deletes a line of text that reads:
“The Government of the Northwest Territories shall not dispose of Territorial or Commissioner’s land within the City of Yellowknife Municipal boundaries to the public without the agreement of the City. Public Requests to acquire Territorial or Commissioner’s land will be transferred through the City of Yellowknife, not directly to a third party.”
The city has publicized the public hearing on its website, though that notice does not set out the rationale for why that paragraph needs to go.
In a statement to Cabin Radio, City Hall said deleting that paragraph removes a requirement that the GNWT get the city’s permission before selling or transferring territorial land within city limits.
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It would also eliminate a requirement that members of the public apply through the city to purchase such land, allowing them to deal directly with the GNWT.
The city said that amendment comes after discussions with staff at the NWT’s Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
“They raised concerns that the existing provisions may overreach the intended scope of municipal authority in relation to the territorial government,” the city stated.
“Since this section is not considered essential to the core functioning of the Land Administration Bylaw, the City’s administration is recommending its removal to avoid misinterpretation and to maintain the clarity and integrity of the bylaw moving forward.
“The goal is to ensure that the bylaw continues to operate effectively without unintended jurisdictional implications.”
A special council meeting to hold a public hearing and give the bylaw second and third reading is scheduled for noon on Monday at council chambers.
