Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 8, Write-off of Debts Act, 2013-2014, be read for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, if I was unclear, I apologize. I haven’t directly met with the Wildlife Act Advisory Group about the regulations. I made some comments at a function about the Wildlife Act where they were in attendance, but I have not met with the Wildlife Act Advisory Group. They have met with ENR officials and looked at the logistics and technical aspects of the work to be done. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, without cracking that budget book, I would say yes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The main estimates document, of which I have my copy right here, lays out the budget. The one change we have made is to increase – and it is not even in this budget because the money won’t immediately flow and will be accrued to the end of next year, late ’15 – the Heritage Fund from 5 percent to 25 percent of the roughly $45 million that we take that comes to us free and clear. So, all the numbers are there and the revenues that we have projected in here are what we anticipate getting in that year. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, I will move that Bill 8, Write-off of Debts Act, 2013-2014, be read for the first time.

I also give notice that on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, I will move that Bill 9, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2013-2014, be read for the first time.

Madam Speaker, we are collating all the greenhouse gas savings that we can across the territory. Absolutely, Diavik deserves full credit. If the Member says they are valuable credits, if it’s political credit, absolutely. If they’re using them for some type of carbon trading credit, that’s totally their purview, but when we look at the success in the Northwest Territories, we can’t just look at government. We have a very significant private sector and industry, the diamond mines, and Diavik has, in fact, invested money. It’s saving millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases and it’s something that...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. After the number of years we’ve been in the House together, nothing the Member asks surprises me any further. Thank you.

---Laughter

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a point of order today under clause 23(m) which states, “In debate, a Member will be called to order by the Speaker if the Member introduces any matter in debate that offends the practices and precedents of this Assembly.”

I’ve waited until today, Madam Speaker, to look at Hansard to make sure of the remarks. Yesterday during question period and I quote from page 18 of the unedited Hansard from Wednesday, February 12, 2014, “We’ve heard that deputy ministers will move money that is intended for human resources over to projects because they want to fulfil...

Thank you. I’m not sure if that’s code for carbon tax, but we’re prepared to look at all these tools. In fact, we have looked extensively at a carbon tax, as well, and what systemic changes are there, policy changes, legislative changes that are there when you look at our environment, our cold weather environment, the fact that we rely so heavily for diesel for heating at this point, the high cost of living within those factors. Of course, we are always looking to see what we can do, which is why we’re spending so much money on biomass, trying to advance solar, wind, batteries, we’re looking...