Roger Allen

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. Chairman. The committee recommends that we review the Legislative Assembly main estimates.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee recommends that we continue with Bill 1, the review of Public Works and Services, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Executive offices to conclusion. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight met with the Premier on February 17, 2004, to review the draft 2004-2005 main estimates for the Executive offices.

The Executive offices are proposing a $983,000 decrease in operations expenses from the 2003-2004 main estimates. This is primarily due to a decrease in funding to the maximizing northern employment initiative.

A director of regional operations position was created in 2002 to assist with regional coordination in the Beaufort-Delta to prepare for the implementation of a final self-government agreement.

T...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts and dedication of Ms. Karen Polkoff of Inuvik. Ms. Polkoff is a tireless coach and a tireless volunteer with the Inuvik speed skating group. At a recent meet in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, the participants made a great deal of accomplishments which were made in recognition of Ms. Polkoff’s efforts. On behalf of my constituency, the people of Inuvik and the speed skating community, a heartfelt gratitude is extended to her for her tireless efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

----Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing that as an ongoing issue between the aboriginal governments and our territorial government still requires us to form some form of partnership arrangements with our aboriginal governments in support of trying to introduce taxation that would be beneficial to our residents. I’m asking again, why is it such a difficulty to see if they would support such an initiative that would be very cost beneficial to our territory? I’m going to ask the Minister, in repetition to my first question, is he willing to have his department do some further studies to see if that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to see that the Minister of Justice sits today because his return to oral questions certainly puts my question into proper context. On October 30, 2003, an interesting bill called Bill C-48 was reviewed under the Natural Resources of Canada Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce. The intent of the bill was to attract industry on private lands and further allow deductibles by industry on Crown lands, Mr. Speaker. So my question is to the Minister of Finance. Would he be willing to have his department do further studies to see if this form of taxation...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to confirm my source of information to the Minister, Mr. Chairman, this point was raised to me by the campus directors in Inuvik in one of my sojourns into Inuvik in the last several months. This is just for information purposes, Mr. Chairman, that it was raised to me by the director of Inuvik campus. This is just for the Minister’s information. That is my comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, just trying to put the college housing into perspective, and I'm looking at the glossary on page 9-27, under buildings and works, and college facilities, equipment and utilities. As you know, we have an inherent problem with student housing Inuvik, and the Blueberry Patch is kind of beyond economic repair. So I'm going to ask the department if they would consider a build to lease with some private developers who can provide the college with adequate student housing. This is the only place I can really find the appropriate areas to question the Minister on...