This is page numbers 2821 - 2866 of the Hansard for the 16th 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 agreed.

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Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Of course, if a major project such as the Mackenzie Gas Project, and I think we have a few years there, but that sort of policy will be key to whether we can actually realize some benefits. Right now I know we don’t have fuel tax, for example, on the use of natural gas for power generation, which is where most of their power will be produced from. So we would be totally left high and dry on that. There is a bit of a time element from the industrial side as well. I appreciate those comments from the Minister and anything further he would care to share on timing and so on. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, the issue of what is called a carbon tax is a very hotly debated one. I know the Member has strong opinions about it. We know that the environmental landscape is changing, especially now with the Americans. We are looking within our own

budgeting process at ways to have a more efficient and effective tax system. We also, and the Member would I think, acknowledge this, that as we move forward with looking at options and suggestions, it will be a source of considerable debate that we’ll have to have to try to reach hopefully what will be a consensus opinion on how we structure around that particular element that the Member is referring to. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Next on the list I have Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a question here. When we discussed the department at business plans, there was some discussion about revenue forecasts and measuring them and so on. I believe the Minister talked a bit about a Revenue Stabilization Policy. I was just wondering whether or not there has been any movement on that or if that is a goal of this department in this next fiscal year. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I will let Ms. Melhorn speak to some of the specifics. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Ms. Melhorn.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Melhorn

The department has done some work on the concept of a Revenue Stabilization Fund, one that would look at perhaps using a certain number for, say, corporate income tax that would try to address the volatility of our corporate income taxes. It would have to recognize that, in some years, where corporate income taxes were higher than that figure, that those taxes would be set aside to put into the fund and then to be used when tax revenues were lower than that amount. Now, I guess the issue would be what amount you would budget for with corporate taxes. It is very difficult to determine what is sort of an average level of taxes that you could budget for.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Ms. Melhorn. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you for the explanation. I guess the next question would be whether or not it is going to be part of this next budget or this 2009-10 that we are talking about now. I am guessing not, but I realize it is difficult to determine the actual dollar figure that we are going to set but we have to start somewhere. I am wondering when we would start. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, we recognize, starting with the budget address, that

our revenues are going to be probably facing some significant downward pressure and that we are going to have to be looking at our planning assumptions almost on a monthly basis. This is a territory that even the bankers and economists with their vaunted ability to make sense of things can’t predict how fast things are moving and how steeply the drop has been. We recognize, and I have mentioned this in this House before, that by fall time when we gather again we are going to be looking and I think having to do some significant readjusting in terms of all our planning assumptions, especially in terms of our revenues and what other potential costs may be out there. For example, if we have another significantly hot and dry summer, in terms of fire seasons, but in terms of revenue stabilization at this point, we are trying to and we are going to make that collective decision, how do we try and level out both expenditures and revenues, protecting programs, avoiding, not raising taxes through internal efficiencies, as well as the amount of debt we are prepared and can afford to carry. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 5-16, activity summary, fiscal policy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-17, activity summary, fiscal policy, operations expenditure summary, $1.205 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Sorry. I did have another question relative to funding for non-government organizations. I am not sure if it falls in this section or not, but it is sort of policy I think, maybe, perhaps. Again, there has been a lot of discussion about the need for NGOs to have more than single-year funding and there has been talk about them moving them towards multi-year funding. I would like to know if there is any news or positive news on that front or if there is anything that is in the works.

The other part of that is there a document out which apparently is going to be discussed with NGOs at some time? I understand it has gone to managers of programs who deal with NGOs, but I wonder if the Minister could advise when it is going to be reviewed with the non-government organizations themselves and when they will have some input into this particular guiding document. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Minister Miltenberger.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

That document referred to by Ms. Bisaro will be reviewed this weekend as the NGOs gather and to have their session on fiscal policies governing NGOs. The multi-year funding issue is there. It is available in

some cases. I think we are looking at trying to get general applicability so that it is consistent for all NGOs to provide some comfort and surety. Everything, of course, is being contingent upon the final decision of this House on a year-by-year basis in terms of the final budget. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you for the information. I was hoping that it was going to be discussed this weekend, the document anyway, so that is good. With regards to sort of the guidelines and the policies on multi-year funding, is that something that will also be sort of a result of this document? I think it is great that you are trying to set things in place. I know there are some NGOs who are now funded for more than one year, but if there can be sort of general guidelines that apply to all NGOs, if that is where the Minister is going, when do we think that might be in place? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, the hope would be that we’ll go through this process with the NGOs and it is a long outstanding issue. The intent would be to try to move forward to put that policy change into the upcoming business planning process.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are on page 5-17, activity summary, fiscal policy, operations expenditure summary, $1.205 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-18, information item, fiscal policy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

We are moving on to page 5-20, activity summary, budget, treasury and debt management.