Michael Miltenberger

I have no present memory of the Member raising this issue before. If he has and I have forgotten it, I apologize. I will personally report back to him following our next Refocusing committee meeting.

I would point out that probably the ultimate remover of red tape for us, especially when the Members talked about regulatory reform and such, is going to be devolution. When we take over authorities in the Northwest Territories and we can adjust our systems, when we’re not reliant on systems and programs and regimes that have been set up by a government 5,000 miles away, that we will, in fact, be...

I, as well, have met with the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses to have lunch with them and talk about some of their concerns. I will point out, back a number of Assemblies ago there was a division or a group within government that was struck to look at red tape, but there’s nothing current that I’m aware of. Thank you.

I’m not quite sure what type of distinction the Member wants to create. We had public meetings -- public meetings -- in every community. Some we went back to twice. Now, was the Member expecting us to do a head count and count who was Aboriginal and who was non-Aboriginal and apportion cost by head count? I don’t know what point the Member is making here. The fact is this process for Northerners cost well nigh into $2 million and, yes, we had note takers at the meeting. Yes, notes were taken. I will check to see what would be the best way to possibly put out a summary of the various...

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...

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.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have been asked by some Members to respond more specifically to some issues that were raised in some of the opening comments.

One of the issues that Member Bromley raised was the Program Review Office. As I pointed out yesterday, there was a presentation done last March 2010. The committee has yet to respond. The Member indicated there is a huge sense of frustration from Regular Members. We have a letter coming that I am going to be sending to committee to offer a briefing based on some of the comments. As I pointed out yesterday, there was all the work that was...

The debate over the Norman Wells royalties and access to them have been going on for years throughout this process. There was a settlement made out of court with the Sahtu and the Gwich’in in terms of a one-time cash settlement over the issue of access to royalties. As we go forward with the AIP and negotiate a final devolution deal, there’s nothing to preclude us from continuing to raise that issue, hopefully to our satisfaction. Thank you.