Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, starting next year we are going to be implementing legislation to enact a carbon tax. The GNWT has signed off on the federal plan called the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. We know it is going to affect our constituents, households, families, and businesses, but there is a lot we do not know. How is it going to work for us? How will we pay for it? How much will it cost? What are we going to do with the money?
Mr. Speaker, I credit the government for its early steps to engage the public in discussion and in an exchange of ideas, but, with respect, I think people should have been offered more. As a government, our job is to lead, to present a direction and options. For people to have meaningful input, they need to be offered a solid, well-structured plan. The government's Have Your Say website includes a general discussion paper on the carbon tax, but it does not include the climate change framework or an energy strategy. It does not offer proposed goals. It does not explain the impact of signing on with the federal strategy. Without these places to start, how can people exchange in a meaningful public debate about the carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, now that the government survey has closed, I wonder what the next steps are for Northerners to offer informed opinions and input. There are important questions where we need input, Mr. Speaker:
• How will the tax reduce carbon usage without increasing the cost of living?
• How will lower-income Northerners be protected from that financial hit?
• How will the money raised by this tax be directed?
• How will it help mitigate the costs of dealing with the increasing impacts of climate change?
Mr. Speaker, the carbon tax will be on us before we know it. In the spirit of openness, the government has tried to consult residents. However, to achieve real engagement and gain real meaningful input and ideas, residents deserve some real content to consider and discuss.
Mr. Speaker, later I will have questions for the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.