Thank you, Madam Chair. I, like some of my colleagues here, being new to the process, it's been a struggle for us, I guess, in terms of how the process works. I've never dealt with the budgets before or with tax increases before. It's something new to me. But keeping in mind every time there's a proposal for tax increases, a lot of people raise their eyebrows and look around and say what's going on? In this instance, Madam Chair, we did have people come up to the public review and bring forward some of their concerns, especially the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and the NWT Construction Association. One comment that was made during the public review is that they may rearrange their affairs to find some of their income in other jurisdictions, which gives me concerns right now. Again, I think with regard to the proposal for the proposed change from 12 to 14 percent on the corporate income tax, I will be in support of that, Madam Chair, unless the Minister and his colleagues can find other alternatives for it. At this point in time I haven't had a chance to consider it. All I can say right now, at this time, Madam Chair, is that I am in support of the increase from 12 to 14 percent. Thank you.
Calvin Pokiak on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on March 30th, 2004. 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
March 29th, 2004
Page 480
See context to find out what was said next.