Sandy Lee

Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't believe that explains what I'm trying to find out here. I guess there are two things happening here. One is that even with our proposed income tax increase for this upcoming fiscal year, we are projecting less income from personal income tax this upcoming year, according to this page. In the previous year, comparing the main estimates for 2003-2004 and the actuals, we are seeing an increase where a more logical answer to me would have been that you would have seen a decrease because of the introduction of an increase in exemption, which I understood would...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Does that mean that on net we are getting less in this fiscal year than we did two years ago? Is that a correct interpretation? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question on a couple of items. On the first one under transfer payments, Canada health and social transfer, I noticed that the breakdown is different this year, and I'm interested in some explanation as to why that may be. Is it just a simple breakdown? In previous years, the transfer payments for health and social services were all combined. It appears to me, on this line here, for the upcoming year it has been broken down.

The second question I have on that item is could I get an explanation of the increase under this transfer from 2002-2003? Where it was...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following on that, would the Minister consider conducting a contest among the residents of the Territories? Not a huge money-spending venture, but a contest on a Web site or polling where people could click on with different ideas of what the slogans are. Maybe we could end up with the top three and then we could have a final match. Would the Minister consider something like that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could I get a breakdown on the other expenses for $2.1 million? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. As I indicated earlier, we have in our presence the contestants for the Caribou Carnival queen, the princess and prince, and I would just like to call their names and if they are there if they could stand up and bow. Mildred Wilke, Jodi Wilson, Elisbeth Fossum, Chelsey Normandin; they are the contestants for queen. For princesses: Alaina Reyes; Blessing Tsar; Danica Wouters; Ramona Normandin; Karlee Turner; and, Stacey Grandjambe. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On that, the amount for the chargeback to TSC and systems and communications, am I to understand that TSC…I mean, it’s a little confusing here because TSC is within the mandate of this FMBS, but is that the money allocated for this section is charged for the services they use from TSC even though they are TSC? Oh, no, this is the money that directorate would spend to get the services from TSC. Then I would have to ask why it is that this directorate needs to spend that much money on TSC. What is the major work that they need from TSC? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In keeping with my notice that I gave yesterday, I would like to ask for the breakdown on the other expenses of $1.142 million. Also, maybe I should just add here that there were a couple of breakdowns for other expenses that I asked for under Finance. I appreciate that that department has been dealt with, but given that we have the same Minister here, I just want to get a commitment from him again that he will provide me with those breakdowns that weren’t provided yet. Could I get a breakdown on this particular number, please? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a short comment. I do believe that the AOC committee report on the review of this budget was already read. One of the things that was mentioned there is the rationalization of a technology service centre, and I was one of the Members who felt that this was a positive step. The decision to amalgamate and centralize this function came about due to the nature of the work, where I am sure the rapidly changing technology made it necessary and made it sensible that there be some focused, central location where these services could be provided and there be some level...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a short question, which has been introduced by Mr. Menicoche on the property taxes and school levies. May I get the information as to what portion of the increase between 2003-04 mains to 2004-05 mains, which amounts to almost $7 million, is coming from the diamond mines? Thank you.