Regarding the issue of the new staff housing strategy, $1.154 million has been referred to in this budget for
the power subsidy support program. Are those under grants and contributions? Where is this money identified in this activity?
Debates of Feb. 22nd, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 549
Fred Koe Inuvik
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, the Member is correct it is under grants and contributions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Koe.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Fred Koe Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can I get more detail? I am more confused now. There is $4.354 million currently in the budget. Is the Minister saying the budget has been increased by $1.154 million to cover anticipated costs of the staff housing strategy?
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
John Pollard Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, knowing Mr. Koe's ability with numbers I am sure he is figuring out that what I am saying is not balancing. It does not balance in the books. It is $3.5 million, less $300,000 because the domestic subsidy will not be paid on residential units held in business names effective April 1, 1993, which will be a savings of $300,000, then plus the power subsidy support program of $1.154 million, which will be the user-pay for GNWT staff housing. I think those number should now balance, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Koe.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Fred Koe Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Who is eligible for the power subsidy support program and what are some of the criteria?
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, the power subsidy program has two components. The domestic power subsidy program gives a discount to all residential users outside of Yellowknife for the first 700 kilowatts hours used per month. The commercial subsidy program provides a discount to all northern businesses with gross revenue of less than $2 million for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours used per month. The subsidy is established so that the rates paid would be equivalent to those paid within Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Government accounting, total O and M, $9.900 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Fiscal Policy
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Page 04-11, fiscal policy, total O and M, $738,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
--- Agreed
Tax Administration
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Page 04-12, tax administration, total O and M, $833,000. Mr. Koe.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Fred Koe Inuvik
I am not sure of the proper words to use but I am a little astounded that under tax administration in the program description there is no reference to the payroll tax, yet it is your newest proposed revenue. I am wondering it this was an oversight.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, it was in fact an oversight. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Tax administration, total O and M, $833,000. Mr. Koe.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Fred Koe Inuvik
Because of the status of the Payroll Tax Act, I would have great difficulty in approving this activity at this stage until we know the final result of the Payroll Tax Act. I am not sure whether I need a motion to defer this activity or how we deal with this. I need some advice.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
I am wondering whether the Member would like to defer this one page or the whole department. Mr. Koe.
Motion To Defer Activity Of Tax Administration Under Department Of Finance
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
Fred Koe Inuvik
Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we defer the activity of tax administration under the Department of Finance until we get clarification on the Payroll Tax Act.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 72-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 8
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 550
An Hon. Member
Question.