Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to provide its report on the review of Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, 1993 and the Income Tax Act.

The committee held public hearings on May 20 and 21, 2004, in Yellowknife. The committee would like to thank the NWT Seniors’ Society for their presentation, and the NWT Chamber of Commerce, NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and the NWT Construction Association for their joint written submission. The committee would also like to thank the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

Bill 6 is...

Bill 6.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. My final question is certainly the government is aware of the problem that exists in my riding, and probably other communities as well. I'm just wondering if they have in place any plan to raise public awareness of the problem and to educate people about the dangers and perhaps ways to avoid mould problems within their homes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister responsible for housing have any specific contingency plans in place to get rid of the problem as it exists now and as it occurs? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 5-15(3) moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak to you about a growing problem with housing in our communities in the Nahendeh riding, and that's the mould problem. Recently I have been contacted by a number of my constituents who are suffering from the presence of mould in their homes, especially in the communities of Fort Simpson and Fort Liard. This is not just a northern issue; it is currently recognized as a national problem. The report on the issue is expected to be released by the federal government in July.

Mr. Speaker, mould is primarily a...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to report on its review of Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Payroll Tax Act, 1993 and the Income Tax Act.

Committee Report 5-15(3) is a matter of record, Madam Chair, however Members of the standing committee may have additional comments on Bill 6 as we proceed here in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight has reviewed Bill 6, An Act to Amend Payroll Tax Act, 1993 and the Income Tax Act, and wishes to report that Bill 6 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted, and, Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5) and have Bill 6 ordered into Committee of the Whole for tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister is well aware of how budget and budgeting cycles work, especially when you reduce or take away a position. I would just like to ask the Minister if it is possible to keep that position resident and not really take it away from the budget, because once we take away a position it’s so much harder to replace that position and to justify it again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I brought with me my summer student, constituency assistant from Fort Simpson, Ms. Tiffany Pedersen. I would just like to recognize her today. Mahsi cho.

---Applause