Debates of Dec. 6th, 1993

This is page numbers 431 - 469 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Premier's Absence From The House

Member's Statement Re Condolences To Families Of Those Killed In Plane Crash Near Tuktoyaktuk

Member's Statement Re Condolences To Family Of Person Killed In Fire In Rankin Inlet

Member's Statement Re Condolences To Families And Friends Of Those Killed In Plane Crash Near Tuktoyaktuk

Recognition Of Pages From Fort Providence

Report Of Official Languages Commissioner

Project Surname

GNWT's Handling Of Canada/nwt Languages Agreement

Elders' Birth Certificates

Attendance At Geo-science Forum

Further Return To Oral Question 120-12(4): GNWT Involvement In Keeping The Circle Strong In Northern Communities Conference

Further Return To Oral Question 102-12(4): Quality Of Water On The Mackenzie River System

Maintenance Positions, Sanikiluaq

Change Of Name Procedures

Tabling Of Guardianship And Trusteeship Act

Review Of Languages Commissioner's Report

Review Of South Slave Divisional Board's Terms Of Reference

Status Of Alcohol And Drug Consultant's Report

Examine Guardianship Act In Detail

Status Of Payment Of Payroll Tax By Federal Government

Payroll Tax Retroactive To July 1, 1993

Locations Of Units Sold Under Staff Housing Strategy

Handling And Transportation Of Firearms

Success Of Payroll Tax

Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings

Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units

GNWT Contribution Towards Road, Fort Chipewyan

Requirement For Payment By Hunters And Trappers For Facs

Availability Of Tep Students' Incentive Loans To Others

Non-payment Of Payroll Tax By Union

Actions To Alleviate Fraud In GNWT

Written Question 24-12(4): Language Commissioner's Travel List

Written Question 25-12(4): Bosco Homes Contracts And/or Contributions

Written Question 26-12(4): Government Buildings Written Off After Fires

Item 9: Petitions

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Independent Review Of Triple Designation Of River Ridge Facility

Adopting Members' Conduct Guidelines

Legislatures Recommendation To The Electoral District Boundaries Commission

Appearances Of Witnesses Before Committee Of The Whole When Dealing With Family Violence In The Nwt

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

To Adopt Recommendation 5

To Adopt Recommendation 6

To Adopt Recommendation 7

To Adopt Recommendation 8

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board

To Adopt Recommendation 1

To Adopt Recommendation 2

To Adopt Recommendation 3

To Adopt Recommendation 4

To Adopt Recommendation 1

To Adopt Recommendation 2

To Adopt Recommendation 3

To Adopt Recommendation 4

To Adopt Recommendation 5

Committee Report 5-12(4): Report On Tabled Document 145-12(3): Legislative Action Paper On The Workers' Compensation Act

To Adopt Recommendation 1

To Adopt Recommendation 2

To Adopt Recommendation 3

To Adopt Recommendation 4

To Adopt Recommendation 5

To Adopt Recommendation 6

To Adopt Recommendation 7

To Adopt Recommendation 1

To Adopt Recommendation 2

To Adopt Recommendation 3

Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 21: Orders Of The Day

Return To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 439

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, yes. It has come very close to the dollar values that we anticipated. We haven't been able to resolve the problem that Mr. Whitford has raised. We've gained a lot of information about the number of companies operating in the Northwest Territories, and where those companies are from. I was quite surprised by some of the information we received from people when they registered, Mr. Speaker.

Financially, it is working out as we anticipated and there has been the bonus of getting a better handle on the amounts of people working in the Northwest Territories, the companies they're working for and where those companies originate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 439

The Speaker

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a supplementary question to the Minister of Finance. He stated that there were a number of companies and he mentioned he knew where they came from. I would like to ask him where these companies are coming from and maybe I'll combine this question into one and ask, how many of these companies there are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

The Speaker

Well, there are really two questions. Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, perhaps I can merely indicate that there are a lot of companies from southern Canada, from the provinces. There are a number of companies from the United States. As I said, I don't think it would be proper for me to read out names of companies and where they're from in the House. But, I would certainly be willing to provide the information on the numbers of companies and the size of companies -- because that would be done on their reporting schedule -- to the Member for his perusal. I think there are about 1,900 companies, Mr. Speaker. So, I will provide that to the Member for his perusal. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Minister of Finance with regard to the payroll tax. He indicated that there are 1,900 or so companies up here. Have they all complied with the payroll tax regulations? Have they deducted the amount of payroll tax and have they remitted those amounts to the government? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

The Speaker

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, as Members know, depending on the size of the company, you may be required to report annually, every three months or every six months. We're getting a lot of companies, that are supposed to be remitting annually, but who are remitting monthly. To our knowledge, there are no companies in arrears at the present time. There may be the odd company who still does not know about the payroll tax that is operating in the Northwest Territories. But, as far as we know, everybody is registered, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Question 198-12(4): Success Of Payroll Tax
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question of the Minister responsible for constitutional development. On Friday, at the Western Constitutional Development Steering Committee meeting, a decision was made that the press would be allowed to report on the proceedings on the development of a constitution in the west.

Since the funding for the support group's staff for this initiative comes from the Minister's department, does he intend to report to this House on this work, since many of us think it is wrong just to simply depend on the press to inform Members?

Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

The Speaker

Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, with the agreement of the chairman of the Western Constitutional Development Steering Committee, Mr. Fred Koe, and when the decisions of the meetings that took place on Thursday night and Friday afternoon are concluded -- that is, we've finalized the decisions with our communication with all Members of the steering committee -- then either myself or the chairman will be making a statement in this House. Thank you.

Page 440

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Supplementary To Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

As the Minister responsible for constitutional development, and since this initiative has been largely funded through the Minister's departmental funds, will the Minister indicate that he, in fact, will be making this report to the Assembly?

Page 440

The Speaker

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Question 199-12(4): Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 440

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the agreement was that the chairperson of this committee, Mr. Fred Koe, would normally be making all statements, unless otherwise agreed to by Members of the Western Constitutional Development Steering Committee. That would be the approach I would take. However, if there is a need for me to make a statement, such as the status of the research reports coming from the individual groups we funded, I would be prepared to do that. Thank you.

Page 440

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Page 440

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Will the Minister agree that, since this is a major responsibility of his department, that any initiatives that he takes with the federal government will, in fact, be reported through this Assembly?

Page 440

The Speaker

Mr. Kakfwi.

Page 441

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Member that any major initiatives, especially with regard to approaching the federal government, any overtures and direction given by the group, and any firm commitments we make for meeting with the federal government, will be announced to the Members of this Legislature at the earliest opportunity. Thank you.

Page 441

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Question 200-12(4): Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 441

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Given the tragic circumstances of the loss of life and property as a result of fire this past week in Rankin, I would like to ask the Minister if the Department of Public Works and Services carries fire and liability insurance on their staff housing and other buildings.

Question 200-12(4): Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 441

The Speaker

Minister Morin.

Question 200-12(4): Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 441

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that as notice.

Debates of Dec. 6th, 1993

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