Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Madam Chair. So on my left, deputy minister of finance Bill MacKay and, on my right, Julie Mujcin is the comptroller general.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS the federal government implemented a tax on vaping products effective October 1st, 2022, under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and has extended an offer to enact an additional duty on vaping products with the revenues to be received by the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the federal government has presented the Coordinated Vaping Products Taxation Agreement with Canada, which the Government of the Northwest Territories desires to sign;

AND WHEREAS as a condition of a coordinated vaping products taxation agreement, the...

That's correct, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, this is, if you all think back to the time when we talked about a change in accounting treatment, here it is in real life form showing up here. So very exciting to learn about some accounting principles. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't believe it is, Madam Chair. Thank you.

I'll take that to Mr. Brennan, please.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, that is not part of the current capital plan that's in front of committee. At this point, these are meant to ensure that we are, of course, protecting what are critical cultural assets. But, Madam Chair, at this point, it would be whether where it would fall in a future capital plan. There certainly is the five and 20year plans that do exist. They are ranked based on, you know, considerations you know, the preservation of life and safety of individuals and people first, for example, and then a ranking list thereafter. So I also am certainly sympathetic and live...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the parties did begin the negotiations in March of 2023. Again, this summer season has brought quite a number of unexpected challenges and emergencies to everyone's feet. But, again, I do want to assure that the GNWT and the union do continue to have discussions. They've been in contact even throughout the evacuations. I know the department has appreciated the opportunity to be engaged, not necessarily about negotiations, but even just as a resource to be able to maintain the contact and the line of communications. All that said, though, I don't expect an...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, Madam Chair, the federal government is a fairly significant partner in this project. I believe that we are still sitting at approximately 75/25 percent on this, but let me just pause to the deputy minister to see if I'm correct. I'm correct with that.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the facilities that are currently being used to house all of the territorial archives are not at national standards. This is meant to be, at this point, just a temporary stop gap measure in advance of a full standalone archives being a project that can be contemplated. But at this point, we do need to protect those cultural materials. So this is meant to be that work to get that process underway. Thank you.