This is page numbers 649 - 694 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 chairman.

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Supplementary To Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, thank you. The news that is disturbing is the historic trend. It looks like it is going to continue to grow. The lower- and middle-income people trying to make a go of it are under increasing stress to meet these demands. Would the Minister undertake an evaluation of the impact of the rising cost of living on residents of Yellowknife and what this government can do about it? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Further Return To Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, that is an ongoing task that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is monitoring very closely. We understand some of the problems. We are also more inclined to find the solutions.

One of the methods is to track private market occupancy rates to ensure that all data is visible and available to developers and some of our industry partners. We also want to identify further pools of risk capital for those developers, so that we can work with one another to find a way to alleviate the specific problems. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Question 217-14(5): Shortage Of Apartments In Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

March 13th, 2002

Page 659

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the monumental federal decision, and it is a federal decision, on the Benoit case regarding Treaty 8, I would like to ask this question to the Deputy Premier.

Mr. Speaker, a number of Treaty 8 people work for the GNWT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ascertain the official position of the GNWT by asking, will this government uphold the decision in regard to tax remission decisions by the federal court of Canada? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this court case has been handed down on the 8th of this month. It is a lengthy and complex one. We have a committee of deputy ministers who are reviewing it. At this point in time, if the decision is applicable to the GNWT, then of course we will uphold that decision. Thank you.

Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question was if the GNWT has considered their position, but apparently, they are in the process of consideration. I would like to ask, when can the people of the Northwest Territories expect an official position from this government? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 659

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this court case, the Benoit case, was with the federal courts. The federal judge had ruled that there are no taxes imposed on members of Treaty 8. There are a number of different plaintiffs mentioned against the Government of Canada. I think the Government of Canada has until the 8th of April to consider whether they are going to appeal. At this point in time, it is not known what the federal government is going to do. Indications are that they are going to appeal, and that kicks it into another legal process.

At this point in time, we are assessing what is going on and looking at, if the Treaty 8 people in the Northwest Territories are also covered under this case, what that means to us in the Northwest Territories as the Government of the Northwest Territories. We have not determined that yet. We are still assessing the whole case and the legal proceedings that went, and the decision made by the judge. Thank you,

Further Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am kind of concerned that the Minister is wondering if this applies to the GNWT, since this is a federal court decision and in the decision, it refers to all tax. Let us stick to the federal income tax. Has the government developed a position respecting the tax remission issue for their staff? Are they communicating with staff who are Treaty 8 and who are inquiring about this? What is their position with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this point in time, we do not know what the implication is to the GNWT. We are still looking at the decision, the different plaintiffs that were named in it and how it is going to be applicable to the Northwest Territories. The court ruling is saying that as of the date of the ruling, the decision is in place. That is still something we have to consider. We are not communicating anything to members of Treaty 8 who are GNWT employees at this point in time. We will keep note of what is going on in terms of taxation from that point on, but at this point in time, we are not communicating anything because we have not determined exactly what it means to us.

There is still an opportunity for the federal government to apply for a stay, meaning the ruling is going to be applicable. They also have the opportunity, until April 8th, to appeal this decision. There is still some leeway here.

In the meantime, as I said, there is a committee of deputy ministers looking at this case and trying to determine what it means. We have communicated with our counterparts in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia to see what they are going to do and what it means to them. It is a complicated and lengthy kind of process that we are undertaking at this point. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand the federal government will more than likely appeal the decision. However, Mr. Speaker, as of last Thursday this is law and it is a federal decision, so it has national implications including Treaty 8 in the Northwest Territories. If there is a stay, then the decision is suspended until the appeal process is done, but without having that knowledge, I think we have to react to this law right now, if only in a small way by communicating to Treaty 8 staff of the GNWT that we are waiting because they are wondering.

I would like to ask the Minister, if there is an appeal from the government does this government have any plans of intervening in either support of the decision or against the decision? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we were not involved in the Benoit case, the original case. At this point in time, we are not anticipating to intervene if there is an appeal. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Question 218-14(5): Treaty 8 Federal Court Ruling On Taxation
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 660

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Premier. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are in follow up to Mr. Dent's and they are directed to the Deputy Premier. Mr. Dent asked about a response on the combination of the Energy Secretariat and the hydro activities that are going on in this government. The hydro is in the Executive and the Energy Secretariat is the responsibility of a different Minister.

One of the things I had asked is if these two functions are combined at the same time, could we look at whether or not this function could be done outside Yellowknife? It is a small unit within the government. Earlier on in this session, I made a statement about the fair distribution of government resources. I want to know if you could also add to that agenda, when you discuss the consolidation, could you discuss where this new unit would be located? Will Hay River be considered? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen, two questions there. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 219-14(5): Location Of Energy And Hydro Secretariat
Question 219-14(5): Location Of Energy And Hydro Secretariat
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 661

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will look at it. There are other places as well in the North that should be looked at. Thank you.

Return To Question 219-14(5): Location Of Energy And Hydro Secretariat
Question 219-14(5): Location Of Energy And Hydro Secretariat
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 661

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Premier. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 219-14(5): Location Of Energy And Hydro Secretariat
Question 219-14(5): Location Of Energy And Hydro Secretariat
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 661

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I assume from that answer that they will consider locating that in Hay River. I would also like to ask the Deputy Premier, has this government, has this Cabinet, recently sat down? We are hearing in this House about the housing crisis and the shortage in Yellowknife, the terrible cost of living...has this Cabinet sat down lately and looked at an inventory of things that you might consider devolving or decentralizing to some of the other communities where there is no housing shortage? Thank you.