Debates of March 30th, 2004

This is page numbers 455 - 502 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd 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 tax.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Meeting With Chairs Of Education Boards
Waste Reduction And Recovery Programs
North Slave Correctional Centre Opening
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board Pipeline Consultation
Gameti Spiritual Healing Workshop
Waiving Of Business Incentive Policy
Waiving Of The Business Incentive Policy
Taxation To Facilitate Spending In The North
Comments On The Business Incentive Policy
Health Care Staffing Shortages In Nunakput
The Importance Of The Business Incentive Policy
Investing In The North To Develop Capacity And Affordable Housing
Supporting The Community Involvement Of Seniors
Consistent Application Of Government Policies
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Involvement Of Hay River In The Pipeline Consultation Process
Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy
Consistent Application Of Government Policy
Consultation With Northern Manufacturers
Definition Of An Elite Athlete
Vacancies In The GNWT Audit Bureau
Costs Of Waiving The Business Incentive Policy
Reclassification Of Mental Health, Drug And Alcohol Workers
Quality Housing Versus Affordable Housing
Mobile Homes Versus Stick Built Homes
Status Of Turning Point Facilities In Inuvik
Written Question 15-15(3): Implementation Of The Sahtu And Dene Metis Aboriginal Land Claims
Written Question 16-15(3): Reclamation Standards For Con Mine Leases
Return To Written Question 9-15(3): Reclamation Of Miramar Con Mine
Tabled Document 22-15(3): Report And Recommendations Of The NWT Judicial Remuneration Commission, March 2, 2004
Tabled Document 23-15(3): Labour Standards Board Annual Report For The Years April 1, 1996 To March 31, 2003
Tabled Document 24-15(3): Environmental Rights Act 2002-2003 Annual Report
Tabled Document 25-15(3): Cultural Enhancement Of The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Building And Grounds
Tabled Document 26-15(3): Statutory Declarations Of Residence For Those Members Seeking Reimbursement For Their Capital Accommodations
Bill 6: An Act To Amend The Payroll Tax Act, 1993 And The Income Tax Act
Bill 5: Tlicho Community Government Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, 2004-2005
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I won't use up the committee's time anymore in procedural matters. Thank you.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you. Any further comments? Does the committee want to go with the detail?

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Page 5, Legislative Assembly, operations expenditures, office of the Clerk, special warrants, $155,000.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Not previously authorized, $24,000.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, special warrants, $172,000.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Total department, special warrants, $327,000.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Not previously authorized, $24,000.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Page 6, Executive, operations expenditures, executive offices, Commissioner's office, not previously authorized, $10,000.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Cabinet Secretariat, special warrant, $280,000. Ms. Lee.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could I get information as to what this lawsuit is about, and how much money has gone into this lawsuit so far, and how much is expected to go into it? Thank you.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this situation started back in January 2000. The Federation Franco TeNOise filed a lawsuit in the federal court claiming that the GNWT, the Legislative Assembly and the Official Languages Commissioner failed and continue to fail delivery of services in French at a level adequate to meet its alleged obligations under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So that is what started this process. To date, including what we have estimated for 2004-05, we are looking in the neighbourhood of just over $800,000. Thank you.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Lee.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't know if I can ask any questions on that because I am assuming that litigation is before the courts.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member is correct; I would not be able to give any details beyond what I have given now because the matter is still before the courts. Thank you.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

The Chair

The Chair Calvin Pokiak

Thank you. Detail. Cabinet Secretariat, $280,000. Mr. Braden.

Committee Motion 15-15(3): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 2, Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 495

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To this topic of the lawsuit, I appreciate that the matter is before the courts. The Minister indicated that this has been underway for more than four years now. Would he be prepared to advise committee of whether or not we are at all close to a resolution? Can we anticipate that we will be able to see this remedied or resolved in the near future? Thank you.