Caitlin Cleveland

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Also noting the grant from Canada that's our federal transfer payment there on the top of page 134, there was a 7.9 percent increase to our federal transfer payments where our population has remained fairly stable. I'm wondering if the Minister can speak to the percent increase of our federal transfer payments? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. My colleague from Frame Lake had some good traction with his conversation about revenue taxes under the corporate income tax line. I am wondering if the Minister can confirm for me if small-medium businesses fall under the corporate income tax line. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just as a comment, that process might not be reflected as accurately as possible within the Liquor and Cannabis Commission's website, so maybe we could look at updating that so that it's clearer to people who are interested in pursuing that business opportunity. I am wondering when the Minister thinks that people will be able to look into opening retail stores for cannabis. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My next question is in regard to private retailers. About a year ago, we heard conversations from the GNWT in regard to opening the market up for private retailers within the Northwest Territories. I'm wondering where we are within that conversation and how that will affect our cannabis sales that are reflected here in the main estimates. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Minister. My next question is in regard to the NWT Heritage Fund here. Within the act itself, it doesn't stipulate how much Cabinet will contribute to the Heritage Fund on an annual basis. Will this Cabinet commit to contributing 25 percent of the net fiscal benefit annually to the Heritage Fund for the length of this Assembly? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Let me know if I'm in the wrong section here, but I do notice that there is some mention of some P3s on here. We have the Mackenzie Valley fibre link on here. I am just wondering what the process is for us entering into any further P3 agreements. Is it solely at the discretion of the Minister? Is it a Cabinet decision? Does that decision ever come through this side of the House? Thank you, Madam Chair.

I appreciate that offer from the Minister. My second question would be: does the Minister feel that the Affirmative Action Policy, as it currently stands, is meeting its objectives, given the relatively stagnant Indigenous hiring statistics over the course of the policy's lifetime?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to just take this time to recognize some Pages in the House today. From Kam Lake, we have Cyra Dizon and Isha Jha. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. My concern around that is our corporate income taxes for our large companies in the Northwest Territories are typically a lower percent than they are compared to the rest of Canada, and our taxes for our small and medium businesses are actually higher than they are for the average of the rest of Canada. I am wondering if the Minister of Finance is also willing to talk about our small and medium business income tax percentage as well over the life of this Assembly, and preferably this year? Thank you.

I appreciate that. It's just an opportunity to update people on business opportunities within our communities. No further questions on this one. Thank you.