Frequently in my political career I have made statements that have come back to haunt me and this must be another one. What I was trying to say at the time when I made my comment on taxation, I was trying to demonstrate to all who heard it and obviously all heard it, the seriousness that I placed on the need for this government to get a reasonable share of the benefits accrued from the nonrenewable resource industry, specifically diamonds. Taxation is one means in which this government can generate revenues that it can bring in and redistribute, in consultation with the Members of this House, back into the constituency at large. When am I going to bring in a tax, if I bring in a tax? Sensitive discussions are underway right now, as I believe my colleague knows, and we are trying to reach an amicable arrangement with the industry and some of the additional economic spinoffs that we think are necessary for northerners in the diamond industry. I am hopeful we will be able to come to some resolve on that. However, should there be a requirement for a tax that would bring about new revenues for the Western Territory and the future eastern territory, I still believe we have ample time to do that before the end of this illustrious time in this Assembly. Thank you.
John Todd on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 4th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 3rd, 1998
Page 562
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.