This is page numbers 281 - 307 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 development.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If the Rankin review is positive, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister guarantee that Taloyoak will be the next community considered for a birthing centre? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe there are a couple of other communities that are also interested in a birthing centre. Yes, I will commit, but I can't guarantee. The fact is we are discussing with the community right now on how we can proceed or what has to be done to have a birthing unit in Taloyoak. So it is really next on the list because it is happening right now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Question 166-12(7): Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Honourable Kelvin Ng my first question. First of all, I would like to congratulate him for being in the Cabinet now. Working with him on the Standing Committee on Finance, I'm sure he'll be a good Minister. Speaking of SCOF, I certainly hope he still stands behind all the motions he supported as a Member.

---Laughter

Especially to my communities.

---Laughter

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it is the policy that Mr. Antoine and other Members of this House have been pursuing over the last couple of years. It is the settlement operating and capital assistance policy that is meant to bring a fair and equitable allocation and distribution of funding to smaller communities. The policy itself was approved by Cabinet yesterday and there will be a submission made to the Financial Management Board for the allocation and finalization of dollars to implement the policy. Thank you.

Return To Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Members of the Cabinet for their support of small communities. It has been a long time in coming and I'm sure that members of the small communities, who have been operating on very limited funds, will be quite happy about this program. With that, I would like to ask the Minister how soon this program will be in place and when will the communities start seeing the additional funding support? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is anticipated that if FMB approves the reallocation of additional dollars to establish the policy, it will be in effect on April 1st of this current year. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Question 167-12(7): Status Of Settlement Operating And Assistance Policies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 291

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I made a short statement about the subsidiary taxes on gasoline. The taxes reflect whether or not the purchase or delivery of gasoline is on-road or off-road. I think there is a limitation of five kilometres or something in the regulations. The concern is that the majority of hunters, fishermen, trappers and other people who pursue traditional lifestyles, buy the gas in town at gas pumps and use the gas out somewhere else. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance whether any consideration has been given to giving reduced rates or reducing the taxes for people who purchase gas and use it on other than on-road systems?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, it is not under active consideration at this time.

Return To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi. One of the things I was led to believe is that it was an initiative of this government to support hunters and trappers and people pursuing healthy, traditional lifestyles. I wonder why this current Cabinet is not looking at providing tax breaks for people pursuing those lifestyles.

Supplementary To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, we really believe that we are providing a great deal of assistance to hunters and trappers. It costs us more than $1 million to pick up their WCB contributions. We have support programs out there. The Minister of Renewable Resources has a new program this year for price support with regard to fur. There is a wildlife harvesters' income support program for people in the Nunavut territory. The same applies in the western Arctic, there are all kinds of other available programs to hunters and trappers through Renewable Resources where we give them assistance. So I think we are trying, as best we can, to support that traditional lifestyle and enable those people to continue to earn their living from the land.

With regard to the taxation, Mr. Speaker...Mr. Ballantyne, the irony is that I asked the same question as Mr. Koe asked. I think in 1989 I asked the question. Mr. Ballantyne did undertake to look at this particular issue and it was determined that if we were to use coloured gas or some other form of identifying these particular products, it would be administratively costly for the government and also for the retailers who are selling those particular products. So I think that Mr. Ballantyne managed to convince me at that time that it was as good as we could get it at the present time, and the bringing in of coloured fuels, et cetera, et cetera, just would not make economic sense with our small population. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

Fred Koe Inuvik

Can I ask the Minister whether or not he is looking at, or considering, in one of his tax revenue initiatives to increase the taxes on prices of gasoline?

Supplementary To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, obviously you look at everything when you are looking at if you are going to have to raise revenues. One of the areas that we are not looking at, at the present time, is an increase in gasoline taxes or an increase in heating fuel taxes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Question 168-12(7): Reduction Of Gas Tax For Off-road Users
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

Question 169-12(7): Licensing Of Cb Radios
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 292

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have mentioned before under Members' statements, and I also raised a question to the Minister of Renewable Resources, with regard to the radios; this has been a concern to my constituents. The Minister responded that he would check with the federal department who looks after issuing the licences for these CB radios. Did he get a reply? Thank you.