Roger Allen

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As this tax bill evolves, I will support it but I think I need to put it on the record, Mr. Chairman, that during the last couple of weeks I was raising a number of educational questions to the Minister of Finance and trying to offer some helpful suggestions and what we should do to try to develop some incentives to work alongside the Cabinet to achieve the solutions to some of the understandable problems he has. I think it's quite right, with the limited amount of information we have to ascertain whether a tax increase would be a net benefit, I think the question is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to make reference to the letter. They indicate that their funding to provide the essential services under the alcohol and drug program, as well as to help facilitate the issue of homelessness, has been withdrawn. I’m just going to ask the Minister if he would make a commitment to provide a detailed response to myself so I can convey that to the committee in Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just received a letter from the Inuvik alcohol committee with regard to Turning Point. I just want to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if he can give this House an update as to the status of Turning Point as it relates to the alcohol and drug program, as well as the facility for the homeless. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that’s a good way to respond back to questions. I’m going to ask the Minister if he would kindly define his interpretation of what an elite athlete is at this point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs this afternoon, with regard to the concept and development of an NWT-wide summer Olympic games. I’m going to ask the Minister if he can provide an update in this House as to what stage he’s at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last two weeks, I have raised several issues related to the economic stability of the Northwest Territories, encouraging the Minister of Finance to look at several tax measures that would be a benefit to the investment in our territory. Mr. Speaker, my researchers have found several interesting items that should intrigue the imagination of our government; none more so than an article on economic development in the Edmonton Journal, dated March 25th.

Mr. Speaker, I quote from the article, “Ireland is the poster child for success, going from one of the poorest...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to exercise my right to speak to the bill. I think it’s not only important for the Minister to be concerned, but myself as well that there are potential negative impacts that may occur in our idea of industrialization in the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort. I am not going to speak against the bill, but highlight some of the important points I have been making the last few weeks in trying to look at different tax initiatives that would help facilitate the investment we need in the Northwest Territories.

Again if I could bundle it all up together, I'm still concerned...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll rephrase my question and put it in one sentence. Would the Minister update this Assembly on the status of the Turning Point facilities that relate to his alcohol and drug programs and how it will affect the issue of homelessness in Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had asked the question about the definition and that complies with certain statements he made in the opening remarks about how we treat elite athletes. So I’m going to ask again in terms of a definition, would he explain what the department considers an elite athlete? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll acknowledge that the Minister is not aware of the concept, so I’ll go on to my next question if I may be permitted. Would the Minister guide his department to work more closely with the TSOs to sanction certain qualifying meets to overcome some of the high costs of regional and territorial qualifying events? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.