Bob Bromley

Again, I appreciate those remarks from the Deputy Premier. I know the members of Social Programs are listening closely today and I suspect there is, indeed, interest and need.

As I’ve mentioned, most governments across Canada are now taking this action, in recognition of the gains to be had. In fact, the federal government has announced a deficit of more than $50 billion owing to its effort to get Canada out of recession, but, meanwhile, one in five Canadian families, one in nine children, live in permanent economic recession. What is the Minister’s view on the need for a national anti-poverty...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no one Minister responsible for addressing poverty, which may explain the lack of a focus and strategic effort on the issue, so I don’t know who to direct this to. Perhaps the deputy minister or the Minister of Health and Social Services; Deputy Premier, excuse me.

The extreme pattern in distribution of incomes in the Northwest Territories presents some challenges, and certainly, given our economic status in Canada and the Northwest Territories, the numbers of children and families in Canada and the NWT that are in poverty is nothing short of scandalous. What is...

Thank you, colleagues. Despite our amazing economic growth over the past decade, our poverty issues remain flat-lined or worse now. Evidence clearly shows that economic growth alone does not resolve poverty. Over the next week, I will be asking Ministers questions on this issue. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Neudorf.

I appreciate the Minister’s comments on that. Indeed there has been a change in leadership in all parties involved, I think, over the course so far and I really do appreciate this department working with the community of Dettah and other partners in getting this going. It sounds like there are some good efficiencies to be had there.

I know there’s been some research done, I think, or perhaps it’s just being done on the impact of climate change and I’ve never been able to determine the real objectives of it on Highway No. 3 so that we can improve how we do rehabilitation of that and so on. I’m...

That sounds like wonderful news. Just to confirm, we’re talking about restructuring the Dettah road to the point where we can responsibly chipseal it. Is that correct?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suppose the departure tax might be in line with some of the discussion that the Minister is having with the mines and so on to try to capture the entrance and exit of people from the Territories as they come to and fro from work. Will the Minister commit to leading the charge for ensuring that these measures are put together in an integrative and complementary way so we can enjoy the fullest range of benefits from them when we do put them in place? Will he recognize their relationship to each other and ensure that they take advantage of that opportunity? Mahsi.

Very good news to hear about the heritage fund intent. I’m happy to hear that some work is being done on the resource tax. Of course, times change and, as I say, there has been quite a shift, as well, in our thinking on the resource tax that, of course, would not affect the cost of living.

The tax shifting is of interest, though. Studies show that when taxes are lowered for low and middle income people, the money is spent priming the economy and improving standards of living. The studies also show that high income earners who get tax cuts spend their money on imported goods or they put it into...

Only recognizing the carbon content of fuels has proven to be an effective incentive to adopt operating measures that reduce greenhouse gas production and enhance vulnerability to taxes. Accompanying this must be an array of measures to assist people and businesses to shift from fossil fuels to the viable proven renewable energy uses that provide enhanced local employment opportunities, lower living costs and reduce harm to our environment.

Mr. Speaker, these measures taken together yield benefits on all fronts. They complement each other and must be advanced together. Some can start at low...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We continue to discuss options for new revenues, and in light of the recovering economy and full scaling up of production at our mines, it is timely, indeed, to be instituting new measures. Through consultations by the Department of Finance, many discussions by the public and comments by several Members, a clear consensus has emerged that more progressive tax measures are needed.

I believe a first priority is to implement a resource income tax to serve us until devolution of responsibilities is achieved. We have the capacity now to implement such a tax in a moderate way...