Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the first question, I can just indicate to the Member that in my time as Finance Minister, it’s not been an issue that I have broached with the Minister of Finance with the federal government, and it’s been, I think, probably three or four years since there has been any adjustment. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, June 15, 2012, I will move that Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 7, 2010-2011, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard the Member’s concern. Finance and the liquor folks are tracking their sales or consumption, the off-sales to individuals. We’ll check with the RCMP. We’ll make sure that we track their detailing and their statistics of all the potential charges or charges that they do lay. We will also be looking at the court dockets, things we are currently doing, as well, to make sure that we are as thorough as possible trying to track this issue.

I will remind the Member, once again, he and I have had this discussion. The issue of liquor store hours is only one part of the alcohol...

Mr. Speaker, we have to keep in mind, as well, we don’t want to give people the impression that the people of the Sahtu are now turning into consumers of alcohol way above what is normal there. The Sahtu, as well, has the benefit, and will continue to have the benefit, of an economic boom with the tight oil play that is going on there and the amount of people coming there. It all contributes to more activity, money and people in the region that don’t currently necessarily reside there.

We’ll look at the information that comes back from the letters. The Member and I will have a discussion and we...

Thank you. Communication is a critical component of just about everything we do. In this case, the Member has highlighted a number of areas where communication hasn’t been as proper, and thorough, and laid out in advance as it should be. Of course, I’ll commit to make sure that in our discussions, both ourselves as a territorial government and the federal government, do a better job in making sure that information flows properly and that the issue of transparency is addressed, as has been attempted to do through this oversight committee. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Giant Mine Remediation Project remains one of the biggest environmental clean-up sites in the country; the largest in terms of magnitude and cost. It receives its own separate mention in the agreement-in-principle. It is a site that will be maintained in the inventory of the federal government. Of course, we will be working closely, as we have been and continue to do, with all the interested and affected parties to ensure that the federal government complies with their obligations. Thank you.

Once again, I appreciate the Member’s comments. I know the Member of Parliament has been a strong advocate of having increases in this area as well. There are three territories and, I believe, six provincial jurisdictions as well that have access to this deduction. We will start with the northern territories and have that discussion and will make sure that we include the Member of Parliament as well. Thank you.

In fact, the Premier is meeting with the northern Premiers in the next couple of weeks and has indicated that he will have that item on the agenda to have an initial discussion with his colleagues. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territoires for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.