Sandy Lee

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just as a Member, I would like to speak in support of this bill. I do appreciate that this may not be the most exciting and stimulating piece of legislation that we have had to deal with, but it is an important bill to address a gap that we’ve had in our business practice, legislation, where for those professionals who are not able to take advantage of the law that allows corporations incorporation that is available to other professionals or other businesspeople in order that they be free from liability issues that could…I don’t think this takes away liability...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In terms of timing, we are here until next Thursday. We don’t meet again until next August. I’d like to know if he could tell us when is that 30-day period. Maybe he could sneak that answer in and also answer the question as to whether he’s…He mentioned that the federal government has this project at the top of its list, but what is, are there any meetings proposed, are their officials meeting on this project, and could he give us a date on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding of this project is that government will make an investment, whether it be the GNWT or federal government, to lend the money to the corporation and the corporation will levy enough toll to pay for the project and make a little bit of profit so that the communities can benefit from that. But the return on investment has to be viable. So I’d like to ask the Minister to confirm whether the cost of the project and the increase that’s going on is still making it viable for the corporation to be able to pay the money over a period of time that’s been...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to speak today in support of the Premier’s statement yesterday that the GNWT and the Fort Providence combined council are in the final stages of negotiating the concession agreement and project financing for the great Deh Cho Bridge project. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate that questions about the details are warranted and should be provided, and they will be forthcoming. I also respect that Members may have differing opinions on things. But I do believe very strongly that it’s very important for us to not lose sight of the fact that this is a very...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a short follow-up question. We learned during our public hearings, Mr. Chairman, from the Minister that the NWT Law Society was consulted on this legislation and that the Minister received consent or approval from the Law Society. So could I ask the Minister what form of public consultation has taken place with the Law Society? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand that having separate offices is an important distinction, but the witnesses that appear before us were of the opinion that that may not necessarily address the question of possible conflicts of interest as fully as they would like. So could I ask the Minister, for the record, to elaborate more about why those separate offices are necessary and how that would address this concern and what other procedures are in place to make sure the government addresses any potential conflict of interest question. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you can see from the report of the committee which was prepared and delivered by the hardworking Social Programs committee…

Thank you. Could I ask the Minister to engage his officials to do more, take an extra step? Maybe they are doing that already, but maybe I can get a confirmation from the Minister. I know that not everyone goes through realtors, but a lot of people go through realtors when they buy properties. When you are closing your transaction, realtors have packages of information for purchasers to be aware of whether they're banking, insurance information, fuel delivery and such. I am wondering if the Minister’s department will make a conscious effort to get those documents to them. I am assuming...

I’m sorry, Madam Chair. Before we go to clause by clause, I would like to just put on record that the Minister’s commitment that would be binding I would think to the next government, that at the earliest opportunity they bring legislation forward to enable professional corporations. Could I ask the Minister to confirm that for the record? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Maybe I should also say hi to Emily and Myra. They should keep watching and run for office some day.

Madam Chair, the committee held public hearings on Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act, in Yellowknife on April 19th and 20th; on May 8th in Tuktoyaktuk; in Inuvik on April 23rd; in Ulukhaktok on April 24th; in Colville Lake on April 25th; and in Behchoko on April 26, 2007.

The committee would like to thank the Minister and the one witness who spoke to this bill on April 19, 2007. The committee heard from Glen Tait, a lawyer in private practice in Yellowknife. Mr...