Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Over the past few weeks a number of motions have been passed during Committee of the Whole review of the 2008–2009 Main Estimates. In response to these motions and after discussions with the Members of this House, I would like to state that the government is prepared to make the following adjustments.

With respect to the Department of Justice:

the closure and of the Arctic Tern Young Offenders Facility in Inuvik will be deferred;

a reduced staff model will be implemented, incorporating 14.5 positions, plus relief workers when required;

$613,000 will be added to the budget;

$...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would first like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Mr. Richard Nerysoo, and the returning vice-president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Ms. Mary Ann Ross, on their elections yesterday. The Government of the Northwest Territories looks forward to working with them on issues of common concern.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the accomplishments of a great leader who has inspired Northerners with his passion for over 50 years. Although his term as president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council has ended, anyone...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the forgiveness of debt in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends provisions in the Income Tax Act to make them consistent with parallel provisions of the Income Tax Act of Canada that relate to charitable donation and medical expense tax credits, to returns assessments, to withholding and payment and to tax avoidance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First and foremost, the best scenario would be that divorce didn’t happen and that families stayed together. Unfortunately, as the Member has pointed out, the realities are that there are divorces. The nature of divorce within families can be very difficult indeed and test all family members, especially the children. We have to recognize this first, I guess.

After that the recognition is with the judicial system. We as the Government of the Northwest Territories and Members of this Assembly will enact laws that become the practice, but it is the judicial branch that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had discussions with Premier Fentie of the Yukon, looking at this initiative. In fact, at the time I attended the Western Premiers’ Conference, he attended the Finance Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa. We had discussions about carrying the message from both parts. We are engaged with the Yukon government, through our staff, to look at options that could be available to us. I’m aware, from the meeting in Ottawa with Finance Ministers, that other jurisdictions are, as well, interested in looking at what options may be available to them around the GST.

Mr. Speaker, the initial payroll tax was established at 1 per cent. Once you paid out the cost of living tax credit to Northerners, the net was very small indeed. Going to 2 per cent has netted the Government of the Northwest Territories more revenue on the general revenue side, and as we would highlight in our budget — I don’t have the specific numbers at this time, but we’ll get that — I know it has increased. There is a more substantial amount that does remain with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we initially sat down, we looked at a number of tax options that were available to us. The payroll tax is one factor. On the other side, as the Member has mentioned, the cost of living tax credit is also available to Northerners. There was some adjustment a number of years ago, in line with the changes. We’d be prepared, as we’re talking about launching a discussion paper on tax options in the Northwest Territories…. We’re going to Members with that and then going out to the public for some discussion and debate around those issues. We could include this area into...

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008, be read for the third time.

In the area of new legislation one of the things we have to do as a government is look at the area of authority that we have when it comes to legislation. We have to also recognize the Constitution of Canada and the process involved to have our jurisdiction status changed. As well, we know that sometimes we have to be careful what we ask for. If we ask for status, for example, to be equal to a province, there are some other issues we will have to deal with as residents of the Northwest Territories. So it’s more than just saying, “Stand up and enact something.” In fact, we must do the proper...