Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Back again for a second time I have deputy minister of finance Bill MacKay, and the assistant deputy minister Terence Courtoreille.

Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act be read for the second time.

The bill amends the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act to update the carbon tax rates set out in the schedule. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is for 20222023 or this current fiscal year only. And I don't have detail as to what may or may not be happening with respect to retroactive pay that flows from the collective agreement, the newly agreedto collective agreement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am happy to present the Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 20222023. These supplementary estimates propose a total increase of $80.684 million of which $27.7 million will be offset by revenues from the Government of Canada.

Included in this amount is $22.4 million in changes in accounting treatment that was previously reported as work on behalf of others. These agreements include the following agreements:

$8 million to provide support for RCMP facilities, including maintenance, utilities, janitorial services, and minor capital repairs;

$4.6 million...

Like déjà vu, Madam Speaker. Thank you. Madam Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: The Plain Language Summary for Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act; and, Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation 20212022 Annual Report. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I was listening earlier during question period when those questions were put to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I am in no better position to answer them than what she was at that time. So I think I'll just defer to another round of questioning at another time perhaps. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I guess I don't have any other comments to make. I know the departments are working all the departments are working together on that right now, and I don't know the current state of the matter that's before the board. But again, as I have said, I think we're all quite hopeful that subject to how that unfolds, which is out of the GNWT's hands, that it will ultimately be for the benefit of that region. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I certainly can make a commitment to go and see what might be available. What I might also suggest, though, Madam Speaker, is perhaps an opportunity for the Member, who I know is passionate about this particular issue, to check in with myself and with the department and perhaps also NWT Tourism. There are a number of private operators would like to get into this space. There may be access to parks facilities but, again, they may require further capital costs to be where the Member wants them to be. But let's get to the heart of what the issue and what the barriers are...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I do sincerely hope that public servants don't feel left out. I know there are some and many that do. Mr. Chair, the labour market supplement, it is not a bonus. It was not COVID pay. It was not reflective of folks who I know were working on the front lines during COVID and were often working through very difficult circumstances through COVID. The labour market supplement flows from the labour market supplement policy that was developed to give some parameters in what is a very difficult labour market in all industries, in all professions across all of Canada...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I want to make sure I have not missed anything. Perhaps I'll turn it over to the deputy minister or assistant deputy minister just to confirm where they may fall in our new year capital planning, please.