Michael Miltenberger

The Member is aware of the process that we have before us that we’ve agreed to. We will be coming forward once we finish the necessary work and take all the steps that are necessary for a full debate and discussion and disclosure. Until that time we need the time to be able to conclude that process in due course and in a manner that befits the complex nature of the process. We are fully intending to have that discussion. There is no hesitation. We just want to make sure it’s done appropriately when we have all the pieces in place that we can stand up and lay it all out.

Keeping in mind once again that the $165 million is for the most part self-liquidating, but, as the Member well knows, if we add that number to the debt that’s already available, it would put us past our borrowing limit if that was a worst-case scenario.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 5, Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill repeals and replaces the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act. It provides a framework for the certification of apprentices in designated trades and trainees in designated occupations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member has made a lot of assertions here, which is his prerogative. I have responded to his request that ENR will take a course of action. I will follow through on that.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 3, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in the Statutes of the Northwest Territories. The bill deals with other matters of a minor, non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes, and repeals provisions that have ceased to have effect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a complex issue. ITI looks after the business side of the caribou issue. There are funds available in ITI. I’d be happy to sit down with the Minister of ITI to make sure that we’re putting the funds to the best use possible and to see if there are any avenues that haven’t yet been explored.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct; there were arrangements made for a sit-down between some senior staff and Chief Sangris. I haven’t been informed whether they were successful, but I know that contact has been made.

We’re engaged in a number of initiatives that have tax implications. Firstly, coming out of the last October round table we agreed to look at what’s possible in terms of tax shifting. Since then, within existing tax structure, given the fact that we’re still struggling through a recession, to see what may be possible in terms of tax shifting within the existing tax structure. We’ve also since then announced that we’re going to be renewing and coming forward with a plan to have a full discussion on the Greenhouse Gas Strategy, which is going to lead us into the discussion tied into carbon...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The concern would be that they’re already paying taxes and that if we, in addition to the federal government who controls all the royalty taxation, in addition to that put on another tax, it would possibly be seen to be as the Member characterized. We also have to look at the current economic circumstances.

I think the key goal for us first is to decide the structure and shape and the criteria for a fund, what it’s going to look like, how it’s going to be set up, how tight is it going to be, is it going to be like the Norway model, and then the discussion about what kind...

Thank you. We’re collectively working to a time that hopefully by the end of this month we’ll be in a position to bring clarity to all. Thank you.