Floyd Roland

In the context of looking at our tax options available to us as Northerners, looking at the other side of it, the equation on the cost of living as well as the tax rebate that we do have, I’m prepared to put that in as part of the discussion as we go forward as the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the tax options we work with, as at this point, stay with the Department of Finance, under the revenue-generating capacity that it has, and our relationship with the federal government and so on. I think we could still work through that scenario, working with Members and deciding where we can go — whether we strike, as we did, for example, on the climate change work. Coming together with some Members, looking at taking that discussion paper out, is an option we can look at.

Mr. Speaker, for a lot of years we worked in partnership in the North, coming up with a process that we’re familiar with and understand, working with the federal government to draw down authority to the Government of the Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments and organizations across the territory. We will continue with that work. If Members feel there are other options out there, we’d be prepared to look at those.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 8, Appropriation Act, 2008–2009, be read for the third time.

This causes me to think of the movie Braveheart. Maybe we have a new Member with a nickname here.

The fact is that we have engaged with the federal government and aboriginal governments and organizations to go down the path of devolution resource-revenue sharing. We continue to do that. We continue to work with the federal government to secure the resources, to keep them in the North, and we will look at other alternatives if that process doesn’t work. The new relationship we’re starting to establish — or enhancing the relationships — with aboriginal governments is that we are meeting with them...

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. The area of infrastructure acquisition has been one of concern for the Government of the Northwest Territories. We’ve initiated an Infrastructure Cabinet Committee led by the Hon. Michael McLeod, who’s been working with a number of other departments to come up with options, timing of when we release the Capital Acquisition Plan. As well, for example, the Member has raised the issue of having some of our smaller capital items in a grouping.

That is all under consideration at this point. We’d have to work with the committee to see if there’s an acceptable way of proceeding...

It fluctuated between years. It started as early as 1998–1999. There were a couple of years there that it did come out: 2001–02 was the year they had a small surplus; in 2002–03 they had another small surplus; and in 2003–04 they started going back into a deficit position. I believe the last time they had a positive entry was 2004–05.

I was saying, Mr. Chairman, the fact that the department has been working with authorities and trying to get them to live within their means…. But the simple fact that they had been spending more than they had been bringing in is an example of everything the...

Yes, Mr. Chairman.