Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would consider that as we look at the matter of our products that we have for sale in the Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first and foremost it would be through the request or our fees that are issued regarding the sale of products; so when those contracts come available. As well, from time to time the Assembly will hold public hearings on it if there are changes to the act, and in fact we are going through that process and will be going throughout the communities in the Territories and trying to get input as to the Liquor Act and its changes. But for the actual product of what is available for sale, I can’t recall myself in my time as Minister of Finance, if in fact there...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update Members and NWT residents on this government’s fiscal position and outlook.

When I presented the budget in February, we were looking at a fairly positive fiscal situation, both in the short and long term. At that time, we forecast a 2004-05 year-end operating surplus of about $44 million, primarily the result of the increases to our formula funding grant and federal health transfers arising from last fall’s First Ministers meetings.

Despite receiving these additional funds, our interim public accounts will show...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, May 30, 2005, I will move that Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will work with the Minister in seeing what timelines can be put into this. He has committed to bring it forward before the end of this session. I am not sure if it will be Monday or Tuesday, but he has committed to getting that information and we will honour that before the end of this session. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, May 27, 2005, I will move that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, May 27, 2005, I will move that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, May 27, 2005, I will move that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2004-2005, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s a pleasure to recognize in the gallery the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew and thank her for all of the support that she’s providing us in Ottawa.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once again, the area of the MAP program is being looked at to see how we can open it up and ensure that northern residents are having a fair opportunity to advance within the government. As we go through this first issue we have to deal with around human resources, we will be able then to take on these other areas with more horsepower, I guess you can say, to begin to look at this and hopefully bring solutions to Members of this House and to our workforce. Thank you.