Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated earlier, we have, jointly through a number of departments, looked at the Apprenticeship Program and the training side to try to step up to the plate in that area and we are continuing the work on that initiative to try to see if we can bring something forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this reference that we highlight the estimated surplus that we were targeting in the last budget reflects the previous fiscal year operations. So it doesn't have an impact on today's fiscal environment. It shows that through our final accounting and the measures taken and adjustments with the federal government, and those adjustments are not directly related to the formula, they're related more to the CRA, or Canada Revenue Agency, and how corporations file their tax and when those final adjustments happen there. So that's the impact. But the surplus...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Apprenticeship Program still exists and is operated through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. However, as a new initiative, we are looking back at trying to step up the Government of the Northwest Territories in the area of apprenticeships and training. We’ve looked at that through all those departments, came up with a number and put it forward to FMB. Unfortunately, it falls under new initiatives. It would be future year requirements and would require some new funding in that area. However, the existing programs are still operated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I'll have to say part of it is due to the fact in management of our budget as a government, Regular Members' advice, our own work as we looked at the fiscal environment we operate under and the numbers that have come in. We also end up dealing with some of the adjustments that come after the fact from the federal government on some of our corporate tax revenues, and that also has an impact on those numbers too. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, because it refers to our operating surplus of our last budget, there is some impact in the sense that we book previous year's earnings or revenue into the fiscal year. As well, throughout the year we do adjust our numbers based on revenue indications we get from the federal government. In this case, this money is again for previous year's surplus situation. Our fiscal responsibility policy, for example in this fiscal year, requires us to hold a $30 million surplus to fund our capital infrastructure program. So that's what that money would get to use...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the government’s fiscal position and outlook.

Later today I will be tabling the public accounts for the 2005-06 fiscal year. I am pleased to report that the government ended the previous fiscal year with an operating surplus of $36 million, $18 million higher than the amount projected in last February’s budget. This is good news as a sufficient operating surplus is critical to the funding of our infrastructure plan.

The current interim territorial formula financing arrangements with Canada are scheduled to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, October 19, 2006, I will move that Bill 13, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2006-2007, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again because the switch has happened to be talking about the subsidy program, which right now seniors do not pay rent in public housing, if we’re going to change that, the whole subsidy situation would be Mr. Dent’s area. If we’re talking about the overall rent scale and how that’s affected, some of that responsibility still remains within the Housing Corporation. Rent scales do belong within the Housing Corporation, but for actual policy change, clarity I guess is going to have to be sought here from the Member if Mr. Krutko is going to have to deal with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the role of Public Works in this would be one from an asset base working with a client department, this being Health and Social Services. This is in the area of coming up with a plan of what is required. In discussions with staff between Public Works and Services and Health and Social Services, Health and Social Services has deemed this facility to have an important role within their social support system. Part of the exercise we are going through is in the area of the Homelessness Strategy. Once that unfolds a little more, we will have a better...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I haven’t had too many opportunities to stand up and do a Member’s statement, or to stand up, as someone is saying. Mr. Speaker, as the snow is gone and the winter gear has been stored, and the summer gear has been pulled out, families have gone through or will go through a graduation or two, and families are busy preparing for a summer trip or a family vacation.

Mr. Speaker, I can recall many springs when I eagerly awaited the last day of school. Talking about schools, we’ve heard in this House from the Education Minister, as well as many Members of this...