Kieron Testart

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I won't weigh into what I think of our system, but I think we can do some improvement here. My question is the federal government has also doubled the rural rebate supplement for Canadians under the climate action payment systems, the one that's administered by the federal government. Have we also doubled any of our or increased our COLO payments to follow suit and make sure that we're benefitting people who are paying in rural or remote areas for our high cost of fuel? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure I heard a clear answer, but I'll ask what is that number; what is the amount of revenue, tax revenue is being collected off home heating oil in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister. So the Premier, the Honourable Premier, has made public statements calling for a blanket exemption for the Northwest Territories. Has the Minister or her department started those negotiations with Ottawa to get an exemption for the carbon tax in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Thank you to the Minister. I'm just wondering why it's taken so long to get to this point after the decision was made by the federal government. Can the Minister clarify what has taken us to this time? Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize my friend and former colleague grand chief Jackson Lafferty. It's nice to see you here today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 8th, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Deh Cho, that this Legislative Assembly resolve that the Commissioner cause an inquiry to be made into the 2023 wildfires pursuant to the Public Inquiries Act;

And further, that this resolution include the Commissioner establishing a board composed of four persons appointed by the Commissioner to make the inquiry and to report on the inquiry to the Commissioner;

And furthermore, that the Commissioner receive...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I suppose if Northerners have already received their rebates, this isn't going to make a difference. If our system's already taking care of home heating fuel carbon taxes, why are we exempting this? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice to earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to start our first sitting, at least from my point of view, with some good vibes. I think we all had a long day yesterday but it's great to see we have a new Executive Council in place and Regular Members who are finding their roles to provide accountability and oversight for the next years of governance. And I want to congratulate Premier-elect and the Cabinet-elect.

I too would also like to thank my constituents. It's a joy to be back in the Legislative Assembly speaking for my friends, my family, and my neighbours, my neighbourhood, and being...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the Member for Hay River North, the Honourable R.J. Simpson, is hereby chosen to be Premier of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.