Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements, Mr. Miltenberger.
Debates of Oct. 15th, 1996
Topics
Fort Smith's 30th Anniversary Since Achieving Town Status
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1124
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the month of October this year Fort Smith is celebrating it's status of a town which it has had for the last 30 years.
In the last 30 years, Mr. Speaker, Fort Smith has moved from a small government run community to a strong self-confident, tax-based municipality that is economically sound. Like other communities, we are experiencing the effects of government down-sizing, however, that does not, and should not, detract from all that Fort Smith has accomplished in the last 30 years. I would like to hope and wish that the next 30 years are as progressive for the town of Fort Smith as the first 30 have been.
Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, given this momentous occasion, I am glad to say that Fort Smith is a place I am very proud to call home. Thank you very much.
Fort Smith's 30th Anniversary Since Achieving Town Status
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1124
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements, members' statements. Returns to oral
questions, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 358-13(3): Commercial Hunting Treaty Rights
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
October 14th, 1996
Page 1125
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is in response to a question asked by Mr. Erasmus on the 29th May. It is in recognition of commercial hunting treaty rights.
Mr. Speaker, the existing Wildlife Act came into effect in 1979, in recognition of the practices in effect at that time. The entire Act at this time is currently under review and a list issues including licensing, permitting and paramountcy of Aboriginal rights is being compiled.
The intent is to develop options which will form the basis for discussion paper for public consultation. The public consultation we believe will be quite lengthy. Meanwhile, amendments to part two of the Act is being drafted to address provisions of the Gwich'in and Sahtu land claim agreements. These agreements require review by the appropriate land claim organizations.
Mr. Speaker, the law is always changing. That is why legislation is periodically reviewed and amended. If provisions in any territorial legislation conflict with a Supreme Court of Canada decision, the new decision prevails. Thank you.
Return To Question 358-13(3): Commercial Hunting Treaty Rights
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 1125
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you Mr. Kakfwi. Returns to Oral questions, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 401-13(3): Impact Of Foster Care Rate Reduction
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 1125
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Picco on October 4th in respect to the impact of foster care rate reductions. As of October 8, 1996, one foster family in Yellowknife has decided to discontinue their services and Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, there have been no other families in the Northwest Territories withdraw their services. Several foster parents have expressed their concern about the reduction to the rate structure for children with special needs. Some have indicated that they may not be prepared to carry on, but will continue to do so in the short term while departmental staff and the Yellowknife Foster Family Association work together to review this matter. Thank you.
Return To Question 401-13(3): Impact Of Foster Care Rate Reduction
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 1125
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Page 1125
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome in the gallery today Mr. Adla Itorcheak from Iqaluit. Adla is one of the first Inuit to receive his Bachelor of Administration from Acadia University in the south and is a long term resident of Iqaluit and a good friend of mine.
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Page 1125
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1125
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance, and it relates to the net value of this government's payroll tax. My question to the Minister is, will the Minister advise this House as to how much revenue this tax actually brings in to this government each year?
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1125
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1125
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you Mr. Speaker. The net revenue, I believe it was, the best way to describe that would be to say that the total revenues brought in by the GNWT are somewhere in the range of $12 million. Due to the way that the tax
was set up, we provide a tax deduction at the end of the year, which is approximately 11, 11.5, so the net to the GNWT is about half a million dollars. Thank you.
Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral question supplementary Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister advise this House as to what is the cost to administer and collect this revenue?
Supplementary To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker. The approximate cost to service this $12 million in revenues is approximately three PYs which is somewhere in the region of $300,000. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral question supplementary Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you Mr. Speaker. My final question to the Minister is to ask if this tax is giving such a minimal revenue compared to the cost of collecting it, will the Minister consider and commit to this House to abolish this tax in the next budget?
Supplementary To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Well, I think with the level activity that may occur with respect to BHP and other operations which may provide a mechanism for employment for a large number of people outside the territories, we will have to take a look at that. And we are looking at the possibility of a re-examination of the payroll tax. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions, final supplementary Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to completing his review or assessment prior to the next budget? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will commit to trying to conclude our review of the payroll tax prior to the next budget. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Question 482-13(3): Revenue From Payroll Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1126
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions, Mr. Picco.