Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Infrastructure reviewed Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act on February 4, 1998. The committee would like to thank the Minister of Finance and his officials for presenting the bill. The bill would amend the Income Tax Act to provide that when the Minister of National Revenue remits tax, interest and penalties to an individual taxpayer, he or she may also remit the Northwest Territories portion of the tax, interest and penalties. The committee noted that a mission might be granted for relief of extreme hardship and in cases where the individual received incorrect advice from the Department of National Revenue. Committee Members questioned the Minister about the amount of remission given each year. Members were advised that the remissions for the two previous years amounted to less than $5 thousand for both years. The committee noted that the corporations and groups of taxpayers such as northern residents applying for northern residents deduction, would still have to obtain the agreement of the GNWT for remission orders. As the Minister of Finance explained, the remissions for corporations and groups of taxpayers are more complex than for individuals and occur more rarely.
Mr. Chairman, following the committee's review, a motion was carried to report Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act to the Assembly as ready for the committee of the whole. Additional comments or questions of Members may be posed as we review the bill here in the committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.