Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will pull that information together. It will be on the ENR website and, where possible, as we discuss that with the Member for Frame Lake, where one of the other Members will look at direct responses as well to those people or organizations that made specific representations. Thank you.

I was remiss, Mr. Speaker, as well, to point out that there is a recent initiative called BizPaL that was structured and put in place to, in fact, help small businesses navigate through government and deal with government. In regard to his specific question, I will commit to the Member that we will put that issue on the next agenda for the Refocusing committee. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The primary initial focus of the Program Review Committee has been on identifying efficiencies within government, things like the proposal to build an office building in Yellowknife, the work that’s been done on the pupil/teacher ratio on the inclusive schooling, on the medical travel, and a host of other areas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the two Pages from Fort Smith: Marcus Bourke and Ferron Beamish; and, of course, thank their mother, the chaperone, Ms. Melinda Bourke. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to be able to recognize the chaperone for the two handsome Pages from Fort Smith -- Marcus Bourke and Ferron Beamish -- Ms. Melinda Bourke.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to announce that phase 2 of the Single-Use Retail Bag Program is now underway. As of February 1, 2011, paper, plastic and biodegradable bags now cost 25 cents in all stores in the Northwest Territories.

The Single-Use Retail Bag Program is the second program created under the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act. The program was started in January 2010 to address the millions of disposable shopping bags that cause unsightly litter in our communities and on the land.

Phase 2 of the Single-Use Retail Bag Program includes clothing stores, convenience stores...

We will get 100 percent of the royalties but there’s a 50 percent offset against our territorial formula financing. We can keep up to the cap of 5 percent of the gross expenditure base.

I would point out, as well, I just saw a news story on CBC where the folks over in the Yukon were already making arrangements to see if they could start renegotiating their agreement because what they’ve seen on the table for the Northwest Territories is considerably better than what they were able to negotiate.

The other thing to keep in mind as the AIP goes forward and the final agreement is signed, there will...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was a wide range of general comments made and I thank the Members for all their thoughtful feedback. All the Members, of course, are on notice and starting with Health that we’re now going to get into the detail and we’ll all be prepared to come to the table and have that detailed discussion of the very many specific issues that were mentioned by the various Members who did reply to general comments. For those that are yet to speak, I just want to offer that same assurance that we’re listening closely and will stand ready to respond when our departments come...

That 5 percent cap came about in the Assembly and the last go-round with negotiations on equalization and the territorial formula financing. It is not tied directly to or a result of the AIP that’s been signed and that we’re now moving on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those facts have been considered. If the day comes when we generate as much wealth as Alberta, for example, then we won’t require territorial formula financing. We will be able to make do on what we generate in wealth out of the Northwest Territories. Until that point, the net fiscal benefit policy and agreement that is being proposed is there with the cap and the 50 percent. Yes, we have looked at those factors.