Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there are a number of avenues we continue to work on, not only in our own sources of revenue, but today is the final piece of that package. We continue to work with our partners, with aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories, when we go to Ottawa and advance the royalty revenue and discussions that are ongoing and try to ensure that the messages goes out that we are, in fact, doing the best we can with what we have. If we are going to be a positive asset to Canada, then the federal government needs to recognize that there needs to be more revenue required to be left in the Northwest Territories, so we can become a positive asset for Canada and not just continually going down hat in hand. So that work is ongoing. As a government, we must look at all avenues we have available to us. If, for example, that area doesn't work out, we have to look at all other areas, and that comes back to the idea of own source revenues or reduction of programs and services. If you look at the increase that has occurred, increases have been in the area of frontline workers over the last number of years. We've supplied that information in the area of nursing, in the area of doctors' support, social workers, probation officers and so on. Those requirements are there and when you add to that workforce, it adds to the requirement for more funds from the Government of the Northwest Territories. So we've been trying to continue that level of programs and services, but at the same time it's prudent on government to look at its way of doing business to ensure we are not spending the money paid to us by taxpayers, not only in the Northwest Territories but in Canada to let them know that we are doing it wisely and spending the money prudently. So we try to come up with a proper balance. Thank you.
Floyd Roland on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on May 27th, 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
May 27th, 2004
Page 590
See context to find out what was said next.