Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today comes on the heels of Stats Canada information released showing that our population count, by their estimates, is down in the Northwest Territories by almost six percent. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, this is a concern to all of us in this House and should be a concern to all our constituents, given that this obviously means, if they are correct, we will see a reduction in transfer payments which will mean less money for programs and services for all residents of the Northwest Territories.
I did ask questions of the Minister of Finance a short time ago in relation to our raised projections for liquor tax and I had questions about whether it meant that we had higher employment rates in the Northwest Territories and people had more disposable income, or if in fact it meant that more people had moved to the Northwest Territories. He did speculate on this that he believed that likely it was in fact both, and in quoting him, Mr. Speaker, he said that there are more people here, whether they are staying here full time or just on work assignments here.
I think that raises another issue, Mr. Speaker. I think maybe it is time for us to take look at the fly-in/fly-out work force. It is possible that we have a larger problem than we had first estimated. I know the Minister of Finance has directed his Bureau of Statistics to conduct a detailed review of census operations in all communities to, in fact, determine if some mistakes were made. I think that is a good idea, but I think it also makes sense for him to have a look and set out a process to analyze whether in fact we do have people working here, but not making this their primary residence.
I think he could analyze the number of tax filers in the Northwest Territories over the last few years to see if, in fact, it would bear out the kinds of trends that the Bureau of Statistics is showing. I hope the Minister will in fact take that up and I will have questions for him further to this Member's statement. Thank you.
-- Applause