Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as I’m aware, there are two programs. The Energy Efficiency Incentive Program and the Energy Conservation Program are both open for applications from business, residents and communities. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we just this past Friday gave third reading and assent to the budget for this coming year so we are set, but as we plan for the end of this Assembly and we look at our transition items, I would suggest to the Member that that would possibly be an issue to consider and for inclusion in the transition document, recognizing that while people may find taxes burdensome, they are also the fuel that allows government to work and deliver the very many programs that people expect of it. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 9, Wildlife Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 5, Write-off of Debts Act, 2010-2011, be read for the first time. Thank you.

The answer would be affirmative, that we see a tremendous value, especially on issues where traditional knowledge will be very valuable and local knowledge and intimate knowledge of the land and the water. So, yes, we will, as we proceed, make that commitment. Thank you.

There’s information that we have that I can make sure the Member has that lays out the sites and the work that’s being done in the different areas and some of the scheduling. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the opportunity would be there to do a range of things including the audit to determine what types of things are needed, if it’s energy efficiency, if it’s retrofit, the doors or windows, or the type of doors and windows, the insulation. Assistance maybe to, in fact, lead to other potential pots of money possibly from the federal government. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I would be glad to put that issue on the table for our next meeting with the program review folks. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member herself gave a fairly good history in her Member’s statement about the payroll tax, why it was implemented, why it was raised, as she ended her statement with the cry to axe the tax and get off the back of the people of the Northwest Territories. The Member did a very good job of that herself. Thank you.

Thank you. As we fully intend to conclude the discussions with the federal government hopefully by next month, that’s the target date that both our government and the federal government have agreed to. Similar with intent to the private member’s bill, it would see a revised borrowing limit that will reflect the fact that we are a mature and responsible government, and we are now on the path of devolution with the agreement-in-principle and that we need the flexibility in our borrowing limit to be able to manage our affairs more effectively. Thank you.