Mr. Chairman, the Member is asking me as a Finance Minister if I were to agree the rough estimate would be the figures he has quoted. I have no reason to disagree with that rough estimate, but there is still the planning and technical work to be concluded, but yes. We know how much the Tuk road is costing. We know what the construction costs are and that in the region that we have a ballpark idea of the amount of money we are talking about. Yes, it will be an expensive road. Thank you.

I just want to get some assurances that you are talking $1 million a kilometre. I believe using that estimate, that road from Aklavik to its gravel source shouldn’t be any different than the road from Tuk to site 177 based on $1 million a kilometre. I think that makes economic sense. That is what it is going to cost. I don’t know why Aklavik can’t be considered for $20 million in regards to its gravel source and put that on your books and basically develop it into your business plan.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. I didn’t detect a question there. Committee, once again, highways, not previously authorized, $6 million. Mr. Krutko.

I will try to rephrase my question. My question was, can the government consider putting into its business plan an estimate for gravel road source to 177 costs about $1 million a kilometre where to Nahanni Butte we are spending $500,000 a year to build that road to that community? I would like to know exactly using that ball park number, would the government consider putting forward in its business plans that it is going

to cost $1 million a kilometre to build roads to gravel sources in our communities?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Again, a final response on this topic, Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As Minister McLeod indicated, the work on the capital plan for 2010-11 is in progress. We will be looking at the progress of the work that Minister McLeod indicated is being done and where it will fit in terms of the planning process. It will be given full consideration within that process that is underway. We will soon be picking up speed. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Once again, committee, highways, $6 million.

Total department, not previously authorized, $6 million.

Thank you, committee. Does the committee agree that completes Supplementary Appropriation No. 1, (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010? Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 25-16(3), Supplementary Appropriation No. 1 (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010 now be concluded and that Tabled Document 25-16(3) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in a formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The motion is on the floor and is being distributed now. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called.

---Carried

That completes consideration of Supplementary Appropriation No. 1. The Minister may excuse his witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the

witnesses from the Chamber. Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that we will now move on to consideration of Bill 5?

Thank you. Does the Minister have opening remarks?

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to speak to you about Bill 5, the Professional Corporations Act.

This bill would allow self-employed members of regulated professions to incorporate where they are not now permitted to do so; provided that the member’s professional responsibilities are not affected.

Lawyers, accountants and most health professionals may not currently incorporate, as the limited liability of an ordinary business corporation is inconsistent with their professional responsibilities. While members of these professions accept that liability for professional errors or misconduct should not be diminished, the ability to incorporate can provide tax advantages for individuals in business that are not currently available to members of these professions.

Mr. Chairman, in order to remove this disadvantage, this bill allows for the creation and recognition of a different type of corporation, a professional corporation. Such a corporation should be treated the same as all other corporations, including for tax purposes, except that its voting members must be members of a designated profession and it would not have the limited liability that other corporations have.

This legislation was requested by the legal, accounting and medical professions. The development of the bill has been a joint effort. Justice staff worked closely with officials from the Department of Finance, responsible for legislation in respect of the accounting professions and the Department of Health and Social Services, in respect of the health professions. The bill was completed after consultation with the professions that might be affected.

This bill supports the principle of fairness in the taxation system, creating the same choices for professionals as for other businesses in the Northwest Territories and the same choices professionals would have if they resided and practiced in most other Canadian jurisdictions.

Attracting and retaining professionals is currently a challenge in the NWT and the absence of legislation to permit them to operate within a professional corporation may be one factor.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for its review of Bill 5 and members of the various professions for their input into the development of this bill. I would be happy to answer any questions that Members may have. Mahsi, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much, Minister Lafferty. I would now like to ask the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Programs which reviewed this bill to make comments. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act, on January 16, 2009. The committee thanks the witnesses, Ms. Linda Whitford of the NWT Law Society and Mr. Robert O’Rourke, for their participation. The committee also thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

Mr. Chairman, the bill allows members of certain professions to incorporate. In addition, the governing bodies of these professions are enabled to create bylaws or rules regarding the professional corporations. Members of a profession who are shareholders in or employees of a professional corporation are subject to the same professional and ethical responsibilities as other members of the profession in respect to their dealings with their clients and their governing bodies.

Mr. Chairman, non-substantive amendments have been made to the bill by committee motion and with the concurrence of the Minister. Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. This concludes committee’s opening comments on Bill 5. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. I would now like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if he would like to bring witnesses into the House.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Minister. Does the committee agree?