Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, all around the world, students have gone on strike. What would be so important to our next generation that they would feel it important to leave their classes for a day to exercise their freedoms of speech and assembly? The answer is climate change, Mr. Speaker. Many Members have spoken about that today, and I think it's important that this is an issue that is not falling on deaf ears. When our citizens speak out, be they students, be they regular-aged adults, be they seniors, we will always listen and bring their message to the floor of this Assembly if it is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that the Minister has made this choice when his personal feelings are quite different, but our hospitality industry is not about liquor. It's about jobs. It's about business opportunities in the capital and throughout the Northwest Territories. If we are going to support tourism and other opportunities, we need to support it, as well.

There have been calls to reform Canada's antiquated liquor systems. Ontario is moving towards a major reform of policy. There seems to be interest on the ground from, at least, my constituents and the people I have spoken to...

I am a bit confused. The Minister mentioned that the goal here is not to lower the price of alcohol, and yet it seems like that is what was achieved, while the price, as an unintended consequence, went up. Can the Minister clarify: what was the price decrease for consumers as a result of this change?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Several weeks ago, I was informed by members of the public that alcohol prices for bars and restaurants had significantly increased. The changes the government made has caused a nearly 20 percent increase in the cost of some products to our hospitality sector in a single day. This increase in costs would have made it nearly impossible for our hospitality sector to survive without passing along increased price to consumers.

Now, Mr. Speaker, a discount program has been authorized, and the cost to northern businesses has been reduced somewhat, but this did not occur until...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and that Bill 29 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think that this information is important for the public to know. It has yet to be fully explained. Can the Minister commit to publicizing the full extent of this information, the total pricing traces, the total price decreases after the subsidy program, and how the subsidy program is going to work to benefit the hospitality industry in Yellowknife and throughout the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member's statement, as of April 1st, the prices of beer for licensees in the City of Yellowknife increased dramatically: for draft brewers, around 10 to 18 percent; bottled beer, 20 percent; and wine, 6 percent. These are significant costs to their businesses and their ability to maintain a viable business without passing on too many costs to the consumer. These are far ahead of what was advertised by the NWT Liquor Commission, who said the prices would be modest. Can the Minister responsible for the Commission respond to what caused these price...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think all of my honourable colleagues would agree that our constituency assistants, the people who occupy that role, are very hard-working, capable individuals who are essential to the good functioning of the representation of our constituents. You know, the North often struggles with finding the kind of talent that you need to do well in various professions, whether it is trades or medical or even political work, and being able to provide enhanced benefits and decent wages I think is going to greatly enhance the ability to attract the kind of staff that you need to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The committee would like to consider Tabled Document 237-18(3), Independent Commission to Review Members' Compensation and Benefits 2018 Review of Members' Compensation and Benefits Report, August 2018. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move the chair rise and report progress.