This is page numbers 31 - 62 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 4th 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 information.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen, Honourable Jim Antoine, Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Dent, Honourable Jane Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Nitah, Honourable Jake Ootes, Mr. Roland, Honourable Vince Steen, Honourable Tony Whitford.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 31

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Oh God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Please be seated. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Premier Kakfwi noted yesterday, it is timely that, as Minister of Finance, I provide Members with a brief fiscal and economic update of the Northwest Territories.

I want to begin by making a few observations about our current economic situation compared with only a few years ago:

  • • During the winter of 1999, the territorial unemployment rate stood at 13.7 percent. The most recent results from Statistics Canada's new monthly NWT Labour Force Survey show an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent.
  • • The number of income support beneficiaries in the Northwest Territories fell 14 percent in 2000 compared with 1999. For the first three months of 2001, the number of beneficiaries was 34 percent lower than the same period in 2000.
  • • The value of retail trade in the first three months of this year was more than 11 percent higher than in the same three months last year.
  • • The value of wholesale trade over the same period increased 30 percent.
  • • We anticipate that capital investment in the Northwest Territories this year will be about $1.1 billion, compared with $537 million in 2000.

As these figures illustrate, the Northwest Territories' economy is very healthy. Residents are working and business is growing. The prospects for continued growth are excellent. This is because the Northwest Territories is rich in natural resources -- in particular, oil and gas, hydro potential, diamonds and other minerals -- for which there is a strong demand.

We must develop these resources responsibly, ensuring sound environmental practices and sustainable development approaches. All NWT residents must realize real benefits from development, regardless of where it occurs. However, we must also recognize that without development of these resources, the economic growth that we are currently enjoying will slow dramatically. By working together we can create the right conditions for responsible development to proceed.

The regional and community impacts of development must also be anticipated, planned for, and managed. As development proceeds, there will be more than enough jobs available. There will be ample business opportunities for NWT firms. However, if we are to take advantage of these job and business opportunities, we must prepare now.

The first requirement in preparing for development is to make the investments needed to allow Northerners to receive the maximum benefits -- investments in training, in business development and management, and to minimize any negative social impacts. I am pleased to report that short-term improvements in our funding under the Formula Financing Agreement will allow us to make some of the more modest investments of this nature that were called for in Towards a Better Tomorrow and in the complementary strategies and plans we have developed since taking office. Bearing in mind that we are still waiting for confirmation of final numbers, and recognizing that other factors may impact both our revenue and expenditure estimates, we anticipate that our fiscal results from last year will show an increase in the reported annual surplus of about $60 million, while the results for this year are anticipated to be $10 million better than forecast.

These improvements in our short-term fiscal results are very welcome, and will help us address some short-term needs. However, they do not solve our long-term fiscal challenge -- the fact that this government does not have the long-term revenue capacity to meet either the growing needs of our population for essential programs and services, or the needs associated with resource development.

The February budget address outlined this government's overall fiscal strategy. We said then that the best way to control our future was to create it. We embarked on a strategy of making the investments required now to ensure our residents receive the maximum benefit from resource development. We felt that by making these investments now there would be a payback, both in terms of economic growth and social benefits. We were, and still are, prepared to borrow at reasonable and fiscally sustainable levels to finance these investments on the assumption that future development-related revenues will accrue to the government to allow it to pay this money back. However, this strategy depends on all of us working together to promote and manage responsible development, and on market conditions staying right to attract the billions of dollars of outside investment needed to make development happen.

Government departments are currently in the process of putting together the first drafts of next year's business plans based on this existing fiscal strategy. These plans will outline the continuing responses to the goals and strategies set out in Towards a Better Tomorrow, as well as the resources needed to carry them out. They will also outline the resources needed simply to keep pace with the growing demands on existing programs.

I anticipate that the needs identified will far outstrip the resources available and will even exceed what we may be prepared to finance through debt. This means that unless other sources of revenues are identified, choices must be made. These choices will be difficult, but the alternative is to hit the debt wall sooner rather than later. The simple reality is that governments need revenues to pay for programs and services. This is a fact of life for our government and will be a fact of life for future aboriginal governments when they take over a share of program and service delivery responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, the obvious source of new revenues are those which will be generated from the development of the NWT's resources. Our projections indicate that with three diamond mines, existing oil and gas activity and a Mackenzie Valley pipeline accessing the Beaufort Delta's natural gas, royalty revenues alone will average $340 million annually over the next 30 years. This forecast does not include the corporate income taxes that would also be generated.

However, northern governments have no access to royalties, and tax revenues are subject to offsets against our federal transfers, so our net fiscal benefit is limited. NWT governments must receive access to a fair share of royalties generated from the development of NWT resources.

However, there are two conditions which must be met if northern governments, both aboriginal and territorial, are to receive the fiscal benefits of development.

First, development needs to happen. No royalties or taxes will be generated in the absence of development.

Second, a transfer agreement on devolution and resource revenue sharing must be completed as soon as possible. This is the only way that Northwest Territories governments can directly access the dollars needed to deliver essential programs and services to our residents. The Memorandum of Intent endorsed in Inuvik last month at the Intergovernmental Forum is an important step in this process. The next step is for the parties to seek instructions, appoint negotiators and establish a formal negotiation process. We are optimistic that this can occur prior to the March 31, 2002 target set out in the Memorandum of Intent.

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to provide an update on two tax initiatives I spoke about in February.

In the February budget address, I announced that effective the 2003 tax year, the GNWT intended to changes its personal income tax regime from one based on tax on tax to one based on tax on income. Tax on income refers to the fact that territorial tax would be calculated as a percentage of taxable income rather than as a percentage of basic federal tax, as is now the case.

In allowing us to structure our own tax brackets, rates and credits, moving to tax on income will give the GNWT more flexibility to design our tax system to meet the needs of NWT residents. However, many of the characteristics of the existing system will not change. We will continue to use the federal definition of taxable income. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency will still administer our income tax and NWT residents will still file only one income tax return.

In February, I also announced my intention to establish a Minister's Advisory Committee on Personal Income Taxation, to consider options open to us under the new system and make recommendations to me by the fall.

As of the 2001 tax year, all provincial governments will have moved to tax on income. The federal government, for reasons of harmonization of the national tax system and administrative simplicity, would like the entire country to be on one system.

The Honourable Paul Martin, Minister of Finance for Canada, has requested that the Northwest Territories move to tax on income effective 2001. Recognizing the strain such a move would place on our resources, Minister Martin has offered to provide the necessary technical assistance and to reimburse us for our transition costs if we move to tax on income in 2001.

I am announcing, therefore, that the time frame for implementation of tax on income will be accelerated to 2001. I intend to introduce the necessary legislation in the fall session of this Assembly.

However, in proposing the change to tax on income for 2001, I am making a number of commitments.

First, there will be no change in income tax rates as a result of this change. In moving to tax on income in 2001, we will simply convert existing personal income tax rates. Individuals will pay no more tax in 2001 than they would under the current system. We will be providing information to NWT residents to explain the change to tax on income and what it will mean for them.

Second, if the federal government lowers its income tax rates for 2002, I will bring forward the legislation necessary to amend NWT tax rates to ensure that NWT residents pay no more in NWT income tax than they would under the current system.

Third, as I committed in February, the Minister's Advisory Committee will be established as previously outlined, and directed to come forward with recommendations for change to be implemented in 2003.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the formation of this committee. I have asked five northern residents with experience and expertise in this area to review our personal income tax system and provide me with recommendations by this fall. The committee members are Mr. Andy Wong, of Yellowknife; Mr. Barry Ashton, of Hay River; Mr. George Dimsdale, of Fort Smith; Mr. Danny Yakeleya, of Tulita; and Mr. Derek Lindsay, of Inuvik. Mr. Wong has agreed to serve as the chair of the committee. These individuals have taken on a daunting task -- to review our personal income tax system, given the flexibility provided by tax on income, and make recommendations for a made-in-the-NWT system.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling the terms of reference for the committee.

Mr. Speaker, this government is well aware that NWT residents face a higher cost of living than in southern Canada. Although inflation here has been slightly lower than in Canada as a whole for the last few years, we know that the cost of groceries, of fuel, of travel, and of many other services and commodities have been increasing, particularly those items affected by rising fuel costs. Experts are predicting that crude oil prices will moderate by next year, but the cost of fuel is expected to stay high in the near term. We also know that, over the next year, there will be further pressures on costs. The proposed new commercial vehicle toll will impact on transportation costs. Airline fuel surcharges will add to the cost of travel.

Since 1993, the GNWT has had a cost of living tax credit as part of its personal income tax system. The credit is based on individual net income and the maximum refundable tax credit available is $645.

I am very pleased to announce that I will be introducing legislation during this session to amend the Income Tax Act to increase the cost of living tax credit. Effective the 2001 tax year, the credit will be increased at all income levels, with the maximum credit rising by $177 to $822.

We estimate that this change will reduce NWT residents' taxes by $2.7 million in 2001.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, this government will be addressing rising living costs faced by those who may not be eligible to receive the credit. Later this session, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Jake Ootes, will announce some changes to income assistance benefits. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment will also be undertaking, in conjunction with the NWT Bureau of Statistics, research into food basket prices in 2002 and will be making further recommendations based on that research.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate my optimism about the NWT economy. We have many advantages in this Territory that can provide meaningful, long-term benefits to northern residents in the form of job opportunities, business opportunities and fiscal dividends.

However, Northerners must take the steps necessary to ensure these benefits are realized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, I am not certain if I can finish my Minister's statement within the time allotment. I would like to seek unanimous consent to complete my statement and also, for the other two Ministers' statements on the order paper today, before I commence. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to extend the Ministers' statements allocated time. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Groenewegen, you may proceed.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to provide an update on the Social agenda and the upcoming Social Agenda Conference to be held from June 18th to June 20th on the Hay River Reserve.

Today I speak to you as the chair of the Ministerial Committee on the Social Agenda. A commitment to address social issues was made by all of us through Towards A Better Tomorrow, and Cabinet has supported this commitment by initiating work on development of an overall Social agenda. This support is reflected not only by Cabinet's endorsement, but also by our commitment to attend and participate in the conference.

Last session, my statement about the Social agenda described the need to prepare for economic development. People must be ready to participate if they are to reap the benefits of a strong economy. Yesterday, you heard the Premier speak about the need to balance our economic agenda with a Social agenda. Since the last session, both the Premier and I have spoken to many audiences about the Social agenda. Non-government and government service providers have sent a loud and clear message that it is time for leaders to listen to what they have to say and to work in partnership to find holistic solutions.

We hope that by being inclusive, forming partnerships and respecting the wisdom within communities and individuals when finding solutions, we can effect positive social transformation. Transformation will not happen in three days, but the conference will mark an important step in the process. Ideally, a foundation will be built and tangible direction provided to help focus priorities for cooperative action.

The conference agenda will feature speakers such as National Chief Matthew Coon Come, and chair of the Native Mental Health Association, Bill Mussel, along with speakers from across the NWT and elsewhere. There will be panel and plenary sessions, as well as smaller focused discussions.

Mr. Speaker, there has been an overwhelming response to the news of the upcoming Social Agenda Conference. Over 200 people will participate. Due to the extraordinary attention generated, not everyone who is interested will be able to attend. An additional 150 people have contacted the planning committee to express their desire to participate. We believe this signals the timeliness for developing a Social agenda. This conference is the first of its kind -- a unique, collective forum where service providers will gather together with aboriginal, GNWT and community leaders. We are very pleased that so many Northerners want to get involved. Since this is only one step in the process, people will have other opportunities to help shape the Social agenda. I want to note that an effort was made to ensure participation from as many helping professions and communities as possible.

Consideration of the cost of developing a Social agenda needs to be balanced against the social cost of not doing so at this time. We need to consider our current reality within the NWT -- rates of addictions, FAE/FAS, child abuse, family violence, youth crime, literacy, unemployment, smoking, people who have experienced trauma from past abuse, and teen pregnancy top the charts. What will it cost us in the future if these problems are not addressed?

In ten years, will children today in the NWT be ready to take advantage of employment opportunities created by the previous generation? In five years, will our adults, young and old, be literate, healthy, well and educated enough to fill new jobs? Will leaders at all levels have the courage to stand up and loudly say that child abuse and violence against women is unacceptable? Will communities and individuals take responsibility for making healthy choices? Will we, as leaders, support the people who work tirelessly to combat problems in our communities by listening to and acting upon what they have to say? Will we stop blaming each other and look deeply at what is causing problems so we can prevent them from happening?

It is time to realize that by investing in tackling the root causes of social issues, not only will we improve the social well-being of our people over time, we will also reduce the burden on social programs. For these reasons, a Social agenda makes both fiscal and social sense. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the people of the NWT have the strength to collectively ensure that economic progress will be accompanied by social transformation.

Mr. Speaker, government has already taken action. Many strategies and action plans that deal with social issues are already being implemented. For example, recently announcements have been made about new investments towards a Literacy Strategy and an action plan for early childhood development. Many other valuable and essential initiatives are ongoing.

Yet it can be confusing as to how various strategies are linked. We need to ensure that new government initiatives build upon what is already working, that solutions fit together to reduce duplication, that gaps are identified and that we work in partnerships for the best outcomes possible. That is why one of the next steps will be to develop a comprehensive social policy framework to guide collaborative action. We need a lens through which social issues can be examined and addressed, and the need for new strategies can be evaluated to achieve better coordination and avoid duplication. We expect that the conference will produce new recommendations, which may affect the government's priorities and may require integration with existing strategies.

The success of any actions that flow from a social agenda framework will be dependent upon the collaboration of all Northerners. This means that we, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, also will need to work together alongside our partners outside the GNWT. We hope Northerners can count on the support from all Members of this House, both for the upcoming Social Agenda Conference and for a commitment to work in partnership long after the conference. I look forward to seeing my fellow Members at the Hay River Reserve later this month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Canadian cadet organization is home to one of the most successful and enthusiastic youth organizations in Canada, supporting over 55,000 young people across the country. Here in the Northwest Territories, eight army units and one air squadron help enrich the lives of over 200 cadets.

Today is Cadet Recognition Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the cadets, their officers and the volunteers that help make up the cadet movement throughout the NWT.

The Canadian cadet movement offers foundations that help our communities strengthen the Territory and improve our nation. Activities promoting good citizenship, leadership skills and physical fitness training exemplify just a few of the attributes valued by the Canadian cadet organization.

Good citizenship is perhaps the most important component of the cadet organization's training. Through their citizenship training, cadets become even more valued members of our society. The participation of cadets as legislative pages offers a perfect example of the type of citizenship activities cadets take part in. Today, on Cadet Recognition Day, we will also see other activities available to cadets. During the break this afternoon, we will have a chance to meet and talk with these cadets during a reception here in the Legislative Assembly. I encourage the Members to participate in the shooting competition and try and beat last year's shooting champ, Jim "Bulls Eye" Antoine.

In addition to their NWT training, nearly 300 cadets are able to advance their training at the summer training centre in Whitehorse. Many more cadets are able to supplement their scholastic achievements through programs developed by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

The cadet movement depends upon a large number of volunteers who act as leaders for the cadet corps and squadrons. Volunteers are also active on parent committees, sponsoring agencies and league executive branches of the Canadian cadet movement. I encourage others to join me in paying tribute to those volunteers today and thank them for their tireless efforts in supporting the cadet program and its people. Their valued abilities and dedication are truly appreciated.

We would not have the cadets without the Canadian Forces. Therefore, I would also like to thank them and their northern-based personnel for the tremendous work they do for cadets. Their efforts are also appreciated by the cadets and by the movement as a whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, air is truly one of the world's most shared resources, and clean air one of its most valuable. Air knows no political or geographic boundaries. Pollutants we put into our air today will affect us tomorrow and for years to come.

Today is a good day to contemplate the quality of air. It is Clean Air Day in Canada. Clean Air Day is about all of us, as individuals and as members of our communities, making choices that help create a cleaner, safer world for ourselves, our families and future generations.

I am pleased today to release the 1999-2000 Annual Report on the State of Air Quality in the Northwest Territories.

The department established its first air quality monitoring station in Yellowknife in 1985. It was a simple device capable of measuring dust levels.

Since that modest beginning, the department has established a nationally important acid rain station at Snare Rapids, and a modern network of equipment in Yellowknife to monitor airborne levels of fine dust, arsenic, sulphur dioxide, ozone and other pollutants. Last year, a station was set up in Fort Liard to monitor air pollutants commonly associated with natural gas development. To date, results from Fort Liard indicate that air quality has not been significantly affected. It is my intention to expand this vital network of air quality monitoring to other areas of the Mackenzie Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise Members that air quality in Yellowknife is better now than it has been for the past 50 years when gold mining first began in the 1940s. With the closure of the Giant Mine roaster in 1999, the once high levels of sulphur dioxide and arsenic are barely detectable by our modern scientific equipment.

As well, the City of Yellowknife needs to be commended for its efforts in controlling the levels of dust in the air. Thanks to its continued efforts to clean streets in the spring and throughout the summer, the level of dust in the air has decreased each year since 1995.

I encourage all Members to breathe deeply today and remember the importance and value of our clean air. Thank you.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The Chair recognizes at this time the honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion I would like to make.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Minister's Statement 3-14(4), titled Fiscal and Economic Update; and Minister's Statement 4-14(4), titled Update on the Social Agenda, be moved into committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Accordingly, Minister's Statement 3-14(4) and Minister's Statement 4-14(4) are moved into committee of the whole.

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Community-based Sport And Recreation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, I have attended meetings where different sports organizations have given presentations on what they do for the people of the Northwest Territories. The groups we received presentations from included the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Sport North, Northwest Territories Parks and Recreation, and Aboriginal Sports Circle.

Mr. Speaker, the pile of money for sports and recreation is limited. Each of these groups stated that they needed more money. Each organization felt they served the people of the Northwest Territories, and each of them wanted a bigger piece of the lottery revenue pie. Basically, they want money to be taken from one organization and given to their organization, Mr. Speaker. I have a problem with this.

The communities in my riding do not have the money to supply sport and recreation opportunities for our youth. We have facilities but limited funds to run the facilities. We offer sports but many families do not have the money to purchase the necessary equipment. The territorial organizations are not helping us to address these problems.

Let me be blunt. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Parks and Recreation, Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport North, and MACA's sport and recreation section do not have a presence in my riding. They are not helping the people in the Deh Cho, and these organizations are not meeting the needs in my region.

I have to question why a government department and three organizations are all involved in administration at the territorial sport level. Each of these four bodies uses up money in administration, salaries, and benefits; money that could be better spent on our kids in our communities. Too much money is being spent in administration and not enough is being spent at the grassroots level.

Mr. Speaker, we are not getting good value for the money spent on sport and recreation in the Northwest Territories. We have the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport North and the Northwest Territories Parks and Recreation. None of these organizations meet all of the needs or represent all of the people in our communities. What we have are special interest groups. MACA represents the interests of the government. The Aboriginal Sport Circle represents the interests of the aboriginal people. Sport North represents the interests of the sport organizations. Northwest Territories Parks and Recreation is an association of professionals.

Each protects its own turf and fights for a bigger piece of the money pie. Very little of this money in these organizations filters down to the communities.

Community-based Sport And Recreation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. McLeod, the time allocated for your Member's statement has expired.

Community-based Sport And Recreation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Community-based Sport And Recreation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. McLeod, you may conclude.

Community-based Sport And Recreation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is time for a change in the way sport is administered in the Northwest Territories. It is time to have a system that focuses on the sport and recreation at the community level. It is time for the different groups to come together and serve the needs of all of the people in the North, not just the needs of their organizations. I hope the new sport and recreation policy the government is preparing will reflect this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Community-based Sport And Recreation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Support For The Tourism Sector
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy released its report, which focused on economic prosperity in the Northwest Territories. Part of the report stated:

"Regardless of how promising the future looks today for diamond mining and the oil and gas sector, a one-track strategy for sustainability is risky over the long term."

Mr. Speaker, I believe the government is on record as supporting this point of view. In its Non-Renewable Resource Strategy, the GNWT stated that the long-term health of our economy is directly related to balanced growth in other sectors. One area of our economy that was identified as holding great promise is the tourism industry.

Mr. Speaker, tourism provides a source of income and employment that does not depend on the price of oil, natural gas or precious metals. It is the fastest growing industry in the world, and yet we have not made the investments necessary to capture our share of the market, or to get Northerners trained to participate in this vast, renewable resource.

Mr. Speaker, in his address to the people in January, the Premier talked about Maximizing Northern Employment. Tourism should be part of that initiative. The tourism industry provides many jobs in our economy, with the potential for many, many more. Yet we only seem to find money to fund opportunities in oil and gas. In fact, Mr. Speaker, in the last session, we were told that the only way to put money into tourism was to develop a new tax. In other words, the industry had to pull itself up by its own bootstraps.

Just yesterday, I heard about a number of important new initiatives in the Premier's Sessional Statement, several in the Maximizing Northern Employment area, and others tied to the Non-Renewable Resource Strategy. Where was the tax to pay for those initiatives? Are you going to bring in a tax on mining and oil and gas to pay for those training initiatives? I have not heard of anything like that yet, and I do not expect that I will.

Mr. Speaker, it comes down to setting priorities. The government keeps saying that tourism is a priority. In our strategic document, Towards a Better Tomorrow, the Members of this Legislative Assembly have noted the importance of supporting tourism. However, Mr. Speaker, when we have money for new initiatives, tourism always seems to be overlooked.

Mr. Speaker, my ears perked up today when Minister Handley told us of the new revenues improving our fiscal situation, and he said that gave us room to make some investments in training, business development and management. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Support For The Tourism Sector
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Dent, you may conclude.

Support For The Tourism Sector
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development recommended in its Report on the Review of the Hotel Room Tax Act that the Minister make available to the Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism Association, without qualification, an additional $375,000 from internal RWED reallocations. Mr. Speaker, that should only be the beginning.

Money must be found to promote tourism, to help develop a well-trained workforce and to expand our infrastructure. We have found money for so many other important initiatives over the past year. It is now time to back up what we have been saying all along, let us support tourism.

Mr. Speaker, later today, I will ask the Minister responsible for RWED if he has yet committed the additional $375,000 to the Arctic Tourism Association as recommended by the standing committee. I hope at that time, Mr. Speaker, that he will be able to answer yes, and further, that he will make sure that tourism gets worked into our funding priorities for next year in a significant manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Support For The Tourism Sector
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.