Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this is a very touchy subject, and I was part of the committee that went around to the territories and listened to people. So first off, I would like to thank the committee for all the hard work that we put into this report. We met 19 times. We went and listened to people. We had submissions. So we have to realize this wasn't done willy-nilly; this was done through the work of a committee that was trying to make the code of conduct work well for the Members and for the people of the Northwest Territories.

I have to thank the research staff in the clerk's office...

I thank the Premier for that answer. It is just a basic cost service approach, which is really good. With this being a 12-month pilot project, has the GNWT and the federal government developed an evaluation to see if this project is successful?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the Premier spoke about Single Window Service Centre Pilot Project with Service Canada. Mr. Speaker, today I will have some questions regarding the statement. With the new duties, does this increase the government service workers' workload and hours of work? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the Minister's answer. We don't have those connections. We actually have to land here in Yellowknife, switch airlines, and then get on from there. Sometimes, we can get there on First Air, and then land here, and get on another First Air flight. Sometimes we can't do that, so I just wanted to get that clarified. The second one is regard to charters. If we charter from Fort Simpson to our smaller communities, because of costs to get into these communities, how does that fee get collected? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This should be brief. We have heard from our fellow colleagues, our honourable colleagues, as they addressed the issues. There are a number of questions that keep popping into my head. From my riding, it is a $39 increase. If we want to go to Edmonton, we have to switch from here onto another plane and then continue on. It is not a direct flight, like some of the other communities. It is a $39 increase. It doesn't sound like a lot, but when you are paying a large amount of money to get on a plane to get out just from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife, it is a factor.

Some of the...

I thank the Minister for his answer. Will the Minister direct his department to look at how tax-based communities come up with their mill rate and then develop their own mill rate to replace the 10 per cent approach presently used by this government?

That is good. We will get to the question. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. My question is: what factors do the Department of Lands use to come up with the rate of 10 per cent to charge on land leases? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Violet Jumbo, a constituent of mine, to the Legislative Assembly. As well, Brad Firth, who I've had the pleasure of working with through my previous job and way back when during our hockey seasons up in Inuvik, so I welcome Brad to the Legislative Assembly. As well Ms. Linda Carter, who is a long-time family friend of my sister and the family, and I welcome her to the Legislative Assembly as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you have heard from my honourable colleagues, today is International Women's Day. Women celebrate this day every year, and encourage everyone around the world to stand up for the equality and freedom for women, as well as their contribution to society.

As I decided on how I was going to recognize this day, I reached out to the regional women's leadership. We spoke about politics, leadership, education, and employment in regard to the equal opportunities for women. As we spoke, I explained that I was looking to recognize at least one woman today.

What I...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think that clarifies what I was trying to get at in both areas. Thank you, Mr. Chair.