Robert Bouchard

Thank you. Minister Lafferty, would you please introduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today will be on business. As you all know, throughout this Assembly I’ve made a lot of statements on business and some of the issues that we’re having with our government and their lack of support and their difficulty supporting northern business.

Our Business Incentive Policy has got a bunch of flaws in it. Our Public Works and Services shared services has flaws in it. We continue to have issues with the government and the bureaucracy having the thought process of supporting northern businesses as opposed to finding a way to support southern businesses. I...

To the bill as a whole as amended.

Agreed?

Thank you. Does committee agree we will consider clauses in groups where applicable?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Lafferty, do you have witnesses to bring into the Chamber?

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 69, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, Bill 69 makes a number of amendments to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. These include amendments to:

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allow for the duration of the Legislative Assembly to be extended in the event of a postponed polling day under the Elections and Plebiscites Act;

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align the sitting requirements of the Legislative Assembly with the Northwest Territories Act (Canada);

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clarify certain provisions...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would there be an opportunity to commit to a multi-year approach? As opposed to spending millions of dollars in one year, maybe going to a multiple year, like going $400,000 and $500,000 a year for 10 years, as opposed to giving $12 million to the project.

We’re looking for a commitment financially to the project. Is the department willing to put that into their own end budget? Thank you.

One of the parties that we can’t get to the table is the federal government. Are we inviting the federal government to get into this deal?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to acknowledge Elsie Bouvier, one of my constituents, who is proud to be with her friend Jeanna, who won an award today at the Culture and Heritage Circle Awards.