Michael Miltenberger

I, as well, have been getting a number of comments and feedback on my e-mails and from wherever I happen to be going. As a government we are very sensitive to the implications of any decision we make with regard to taxes or reductions. We’ve been directed very clearly, and the message from the last budget process was that reductions weren’t the favoured option. So we’ve come forward with plans to look at other revenue options so that we don’t have to necessarily increase the number of reductions we’re talking about.

Yes, we are very sensitive to this, and we want to make sure that we don’t...

Mr. Speaker, that’s part and parcel of the work that’s currently underway. We’re going to be bringing forward a package on the next phase of reductions. We’re going to be bringing forward a package that deals with the revenue options, both bringing people into the North and growing the economy, as well as looking at those areas where increased taxes may be advantageous.

As the Premier indicated in his sessional statement, there are a lot of things happening around us in the world that are affecting life in the North and business in the North. With every decision we make, be it taxes or other options for generating revenues, there are going to be upsides, but there are also going to be downsides. I’ve heard the Members opposite talk in great detail about the mass exodus and what they’re hearing from their constituents. For the first day of session the political hyperbole was fairly interesting, if not somewhat misleading. It was very interesting and makes the...

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated already, we are very clearly aware that there are upsides and downsides. While we may generate some revenue, there are going to be implications and consequences. We are looking very carefully at all the decisions we are going to be making and the suggestions and recommendations we are going to be bringing forward.

We are very sensitive to the issue of the cost of living in small communities. We have set up a committee to in fact address that issue. We do not want to engage in counterproductive exercises here in government. So, yes, we are going to be very...

Mr. Speaker, the payroll tax is one small attempt to capture some of that wealth that is now flying over as they go back to where they may be living in the south.

Mr. Speaker, the plan as laid out was to find $10 million in new revenue for the ’09–10 budget that was laid out initially last year. We are going to be aiming for that target, with a subsequent $30 million for 2010–11 and going forward. All the work that is being done is getting pulled together, so it will feed into the business planning process. Departments will come forward with the work that has been done. I will come forward as the Minister of Finance with the work, the feedback, the revenue options, including suggested areas where there could be tax increases, but also lay out, we think...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Unanimous consent granted.

Mr. Speaker, we concluded the budget a number of months ago. We’re doing capital, in fact, in the next number of days here in this session, and then we’re going to be coming forward with the business plans that will be laying out year 2 of the reduction exercise.

At the end of the day, with the revised targets, we’d be aiming for closer to $111 million when you look at revenue as well as reductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2008–2009. I further wish to table my Return to Written Question 25-6(2), entitled Budgets for the Department of Executive Regional Offices, and Return to Written Question 33-16(2), entitled GNWT Subsidies by Community.

Document 75-16(2), Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2008–2009, tabled.

Document 76-16(2), Budgets for the Department of Executive Regional Offices, tabled.

Document, 77-16(2), GNWT Subsidies by Community, tabled.

Mr. Speaker, in fact, we have to do both. Money was voted to in fact undertake the program reviews that the Member has talked about now for some time in this Assembly and in the previous one. They’re getting tooled up to do the job. We’ve briefed committee. We’ve laid out some of the work plan. We’re looking to work with committee to make sure that we have the best work plan possible. In fact, the plan would be to have some Members possibly on the refocusing committee to make sure we’re doing the proper work.

At the same time, we clearly heard the debate, frank and intense, from the last budget...