Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am thinking about what I want to get on the record because I expect that there are a lot of residents out there listening and will watch what we have done and said here on this debate.

I reviewed what the Minister said in his opening remarks. We've got two pages here of what is an interesting defence of Cabinet's plan about how to make sure that this doesn't impact the cost of living. That's not what a carbon tax is actually supposed to be all about. The words "climate change" are found once in here with regard to the pan-

Canadian framework. Climate crisis is not in the...

Merci, Monsieur le President. The public and stakeholders consultations for the creation of an action plan for the NWT Arts Strategy have just wrapped up. ITI and ECE, who are leading this effort, say this work will now be added to research completed in March 2019 and result in action and new investments. I checked in with leaders in the arts sector who had input into the consultation, and I have not heard much positive as we work towards a fact-based, targeted action plan.

The problem is the lack of hard information specific to the producers and the NWT's operating environment. While...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I agree with this recommendation from the committee. I have made many statements in this House about the need for stronger accountability and reporting around the climate crisis. When I saw the bill, I was quite disappointed that there was nothing written into the bill that provides for or requires this kind of reporting. I support the work that the committee has done to review this and encourage that it be done. I think that it can and should have been part of the bill, so I do support this recommendation. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill 42 be amended by adding the following to clause 14.

14.1 The following is added after Section 20.1:

20.2 (1) The Minister shall prepare an annual report with respect to the administration of this act during each fiscal year including

the total amount of carbon tax collected with respect to each of the petroleum products listed in the schedule and natural gas;

the total amount of penalties assessed and collected under subsections 16(2) and (5) in respect of carbon tax;

any orders for the payment or refund of tax, interest, penalties, or costs under subsection 16.7...

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to table the following document. It's three pages excerpted from the Northwest Territories Association of Communities website. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister then confirm that there will be no opportunity for the public to comment on the draft regulations? Yes or no? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I feel like an eager beaver. Merci, Monsieur le President. Your Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of Bill 56: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council Act, No. 2, and the Draft Code of Conduct.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures (committee) is pleased to report on its review of Bill 56: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act No. 2 and the Draft Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

The Draft Code of Conduct was tabled in the...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am not trying to imply anything; I am trying to understand what is actually going on, because this side of the House has not really received much information about what the program is. We have received nothing. There seems to be some kind of commitment from the deputy minister to possibly share draft regulations with a future committee. Is there going to be an opportunity for the public to comment on draft regulations made pursuant to this section of the bill? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. This clause would give the regulator the ability to hold public hearings, and the proposed change to section 19.1 of the act says, "The Regulator may conduct a public hearing in respect of the exercise of any of its powers," and so on. In committee, we had a discussion about this, and a motion was moved to not just say that the regulator "may conduct" a hearing but actually in addition to require the regulator to conduct a hearing based on whatever set of criteria that they may develop. Why was this drafted in a way that does not set the floor for when a public hearing...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I get all of that, too. As I understood, I think the regulator is actually going through a process now of developing a methodology for determining financial responsibility, so I think the answer may actually be zero, but I just would like to get that confirmed. I understand, the OROGO, you can ask, but they may not be able to deliver, but I assume that they will. I think that is all I have on this. I still remain a little bit concerned about the one-year period, but I will have to see how this plays out. Thanks, Mr. Chair.