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Bill 92, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3

Government Bill

19th Assembly, 2nd Session

Introduced on May 31, 2023

Events

Timeline of key legislative events

  • First Reading
    Completed May 31, 2023 (Debate | Vote)
  • Second Reading
    Completed June 1, 2023 (Debate | Vote)
  • Third Reading
    Completed Oct. 4, 2023 (Debate | Vote)
  • Commissioner's Assent
    Completed Oct. 6, 2023 (Debate)
  • Status

    Bill Text



    Related Votes

    Oct. 4, 2023 Passed Third Reading of Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    June 1, 2023 Passed Second Reading of Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    May 31, 2023 First Reading of Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3

    Discussion & Mentions

    Assent To Bills
    Assent To Bills

    October 6th, 2023

    Page 6904


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    Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Margaret M. Thom

    Mahsi. Please be seated.

    Mr. Speaker, Premier Cochrane, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, staff, and visitors in the public gallery, mahsi. I am blessed and honoured to once again sit before you in this great Chamber. I wish to acknowledge that the land on which we gather are treaty lands and the home to many Indigenous people, including the Dene, Inuvialuit, Metis, and Inuit. We are grateful to be on this land. Many of you may have joined in all the powerful events happening throughout your communities and across Canada to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

    I have witnessed how this 19th Legislative Assembly really took to heart reconciliation and actioned it in so many ways by the encouragement to speak Indigenous languages, the Indigenous dress code, and incorporating Indigenous traditions and culture in this great House. You have shown this through recognizing and awarding distinguished Northerners residents during your term.

    On February 27th, 2023, House Speaker Blake unveiled the Legislative Assembly's meeting room renaming project which was inspired by nature and reflected in all languages. The project includes representation of all official languages and regions in the Northwest Territories. Each of the nine rooms chosen are represented by a northern animal. Art work was done by an Indigenous NWT artist, Trey Madsen, and symbolizing the traits associated with each animal bringing deeper meaning to the work that takes place in each room.

    Earlier this week with the unveiling of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls monument in front of this beautiful building, it was a very emotional ceremony and I was honoured to be here. But, most importantly, is how you individually as Members honour the people, the culture, and the traditions in the work that you do.

    Today marks a day that I imagine is mixed with many emotions as well as much personal and professional planning for each of you. As Members of this 19th Legislative Assembly, each of you has become an instrument of change, an enhancement within this government. You have acted on the wishes and concerns of the people of our vast territory during your elected term. For that, I applaud you with a huge mahsi cho and know that we all owe you a debt of gratitude and gave us much to be extremely grateful for.

    Being in politics is difficult, not only for the politician but for the families as well. As difficult as it is, we must remember that your families contributed immensely to have you function as an individual, a team player, and a Member of our great consensus government. On behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I extend my deepest admiration and gratitude to your families.

    Some of you have already announced your intention to seek re-election. I wish you well and every success in your platforms and in your campaign journey. If you are elected again and return to this House, know that it was meant to be. If you do not get re-elected, close this chapter of your journey knowing that you have done your very best in representing your constituents and, most importantly, all Northerners. Some of you have announced your well thought out intentions to not seek re-election but rather have chosen to pursue new adventures and perhaps to rest and relax. Do that. Do it. I applaud you with sincere appreciation for your commitment and dedication and the service to your constituents and to all Northerners. I sincerely wish you all success, good health, and happiness in the next chapter of the journey you will take from here on.

    I need to express my sincere gratitude to the people that worked diligently behind the scenes to assist you in your work - your staff, the public service, the staff that keep this great House tidy and organized, the translators, and interpreters. Everyone is to be celebrated for the tough decisions and accomplishment especially during the many challenges during your term. Much work will still be needed to address these times and these challenges.

    I am very thankful for the difficult decisions made, especially during the many challenging times during your term. To name a few, these times include natural disasters and devastation of floods, wildfires, evacuation, and COVID-19 pandemic.

    In closing, I remain deeply honoured to have been part of your political journey. I will keep close to my heart your kindness, your confidence in me, and how you welcomed me to my role as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho and Happy Thanksgiving.

    Now as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills that you all have worked hard on and deliberated so carefully.

    • Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act;
    • Bill 74: Forest Act;
    • Bill 77: Nursing Profession Act;
    • Bill 78: Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act;
    • Bill 80: Dental Hygienists Profession Statute Amendment Act;
    • Bill 81: An Act to Amend the Education Act, No. 2;
    • Bill 82: Legal Profession Act;
    • Bill 83: Liquor Act;
    • Bill 84: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act;
    • Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act;
    • Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3;
    • Bill 93: Practice of Engineering, Geoscience and Applied Science Technology Act;
    • Bill 94: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023;
    • Bill 100: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2024-2025;
    • Bill 101: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditure and Borrowing Authorization) No. 3, 2023-2024.

    Mahsi cho. Thank you. Quyananni. Merci beaucoup. Kwana.

    Recorded Vote
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


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    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    All those opposed, please rise. All those abstaining, please rise.

    Order. The results of the recorded vote: 17 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried. Bill 92 has had third reading.

    ---Carried

    Third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

    Recorded Vote
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


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    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    The Member for Yellowknife South. The Member for Sahtu. The Member for Range Lake. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. The Member for Yellowknife Centre. The Member for Hay River North. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The Member for Deh Cho. The Member for Hay River South. The Member for Kam Lake. The Member for Frame Lake. The Member for Nunakput. The Member for Yellowknife North. The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The Member for Monfwi. The Member for Great Slave. The Member for Nahendeh.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


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    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    Question has been called. The Minister's requested a recorded vote. All those in favour, please rise.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


    See context

    Some Hon. Members

    Question.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


    See context
    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    Thank you, Member for Nunakput. The motion is in order. To the motion.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


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    Jackie Jacobson

    Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tonight I'll be voting with the carbon tax but I just want to put clarity is the reason I'm supporting the carbon tax bill tonight, it's going to give our communities their funds with the local community governments, and it's going to get the monies to the people, the individual peoples that need it. And I'm still praying it's a tiered system. And we're -- that's why I'm supporting it tonight. But as the carbon tax bill as a whole, I don't support it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


    See context
    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Nunakput.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3, Carried
    Third Reading Of Bills

    October 4th, 2023

    Page 6752


    See context
    Caroline Wawzonek

    Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

    Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 92, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, be read for the third time. And, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    Second Reading Of Bills

    June 1st, 2023

    Page 6314


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    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Bill 92 has had second reading and is referred to the committee.

    ---Carried

    Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Bill 23, 29, and 72, Committee Report 52-19(2), Minister's Statement 264-19(2), Tabled Document 681-19(2), Tabled Document 940-19, Tabled Document 941-19(2), with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    Second Reading Of Bills

    June 1st, 2023

    Page 6314


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    Some Hon. Members

    Question.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    Second Reading Of Bills

    June 1st, 2023

    Page 6314


    See context
    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    Second Reading Of Bills

    June 1st, 2023

    Page 6314


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    Kevin O'Reilly

    Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

    Merci, Monsieur le President. I rise to speak to the principle and merit of this bill.

    I want to sincerely thank the Minister for bringing forward the bill that addresses some of the concerns raised during the review and debate on Bill 60. Specifically, Bill 92 requires unconditional carbon tax revenue sharing grants to communities with a formula to be determined by the Minister. This is a much better solution than dealing with community government payments through the main estimates. I still -- there are still some issues around when the payments will be made and what other deductions may be made to gross carbon tax revenues. I am confident that these issues can be resolved when in review of the bill.

    The other issues, though -- the other issue covered in the bill, Mr. Speaker, is mandatory annual reporting, which is a good move but there are no details on what is to be reported and when. Reports are to be on the collection and administration of the carbon tax but there's no specific details required, such as financial information, money in or money out, or the cost of administration, predictions on greenhouse gas emissions, and whether the carbon tax is fulfilling its purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions as confirmed in this House on March 23 by the Finance Minister.

    There's also no deadline for annual report that's set out in the bill. Of note, the three carbon tax reports issued so far have taken seven, nine, and seven months from fiscal year end to be made public. Bill 91, in contrast, does provide a list of financial items to be reported annually, greenhouse gas predictions and a discussion on the effectiveness of the carbon tax in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There's also a six-month period for an annual report to be prepared and made public in Bill 91 providing some clarity over when it will be available. A draft of Bill 91, which only focuses on carbon tax reporting, was provided to Cabinet with a request for feedback but no response was received. It will now be up to the Standing Committee on Government Operations to sort it out, but I will come prepared with ideas.

    Lastly, I want to comment on the narrow scope of this bill. Without diving too deeply into the tragedy and trauma of Bill 60 and the debate we had in this House in March, Bill 92 does not resolve the need for separate accounting as well of the carbon tax from the consolidated revenue fund. There's also the outstanding issue of fair treatment for all businesses and NGOs as only the large emitters, the diamond mines, will get an effective 72 percent rebate. There's also issues, Mr. Speaker, around the exclusion of methane emissions from the carbon tax, which I believe should also be revisited. And there should be mandatory public engagement before regulations are made or significantly changed.

    Mr. Speaker, those are my remarks on Bill 92, and I look forward to working with people in this House to get this resolved. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    Second Reading Of Bills

    June 1st, 2023

    Page 6314


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    The Speaker

    The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

    Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member for Frame Lake.

    Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, Carried
    Second Reading Of Bills

    June 1st, 2023

    Page 6314


    See context
    Caroline Wawzonek

    Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

    Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 92, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3, be read for the second time.

    This bill amends the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act to establish an unconditional carbon tax revenue sharing grant payable to community governments and to establish an annual report with respect to the collection and administration of carbon tax under the act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.