Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the cost of most goods and services in the Northwest Territories is increased by the addition of the federal Goods and Services Tax;

AND WHEREAS the Northern Residents Deduction only provides financial relief to Northerners at tax time and does not have an impact on the day-to-day cost to operate a home or business;

AND WHEREAS the costs of essential goods and services in the Northwest Territories are among the most expensive in the country;

AND WHEREAS the high costs of heating oil and electricity are of serious concern to all Northwest Territories residents;

AND WHEREAS the costs to transport goods both to the North and within the Territory are significant and ultimately add costs to goods and services bought by northern residents and businesses;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly of the Yukon passed a motion on May 8, 2008, calling for the three northern territories to jointly lobby the federal government for the removal of the GST on home heating fuel, power costs and the cost of transportation;

AND WHEREAS the removal of the GST on certain essential goods and services would acknowledge the high cost of living experienced by Northwest Territories residents;

AND WHEREAS it is in Canada’s interest in the name of national sovereignty that Canadians are living and working throughout our northern lands of Canada;

AND WHEREAS the estimated GST revenue collected from the NWT is $44 million, and the estimated combined GST revenue from the three territories transferred to Canada is less than $120 million;

AND WHEREAS one of the priorities of the 16th Legislative Assembly is to reduce the cost of living for Northwest Territories residents;

AND WHEREAS this Assembly supports pan-territorial efforts to address common issues affecting residents of all three northern territories;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that this Assembly signify its commitment to work with the governments of Nunavut and the Yukon Territory in

lobbying the federal government to remove the GST from the cost of home heating fuel, electricity and the cost of transporting goods to and within the Northwest Territories;

AND FURTHER, that a copy of this motion be provided to the federal Minister of Finance, Members of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon, and the governments of Nunavut and the Yukon Territory.