Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion. Minister Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I cannot support the motion. Currently, Bill 18 provides an exemption for the Government of the Northwest Territories and individuals on medical travel. It also provides an exemption for persons staying in accommodation for more than 30 days in a row for less than $20 night. The substantial amendment proposed by SCOGO would eliminate these exemptions and instead include an exemption for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

The exemptions included in Bill 18 were researched and analyzed prior to including them in the legislative proposal and formed a key component of our department's consultation with the community governments for which these amendments will apply. The exemptions included in the bill strike a balance of the input received through our stakeholder consultation and reflects an approach that all stakeholders can support.

Through our market analysis, we found that reliable data on the different types of hotel stays was not available. I therefore cannot support changes to the legislation without fully understanding the intended and unintended consequences of the changes to the exemptions.

Finally, but most importantly, MACA has worked very closely with community governments throughout the development of this legislative initiative. To change the provisions of the bill in this manner at this late stage without their involvement does not support our process on partner engagements. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. To the motion, recognizing that we have six and a half minutes here. Mr. McNeely.

Thank you. That provides me seven minutes here to finish. No, excuse me.

Based on the survey numbers, we are targeting 108,000 visitors and excluding everybody else. For that simple reason, and as I mentioned earlier, I will support this amendment. Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Yellowknife is a tax-based community that is trying to enhance its own economy. This tourism levy is one of the means to do that, and to create its own revenue stream separate from the GNWT.

The City of Yellowknife is not generously funded by the GNWT. There is a substantial underfunding situation there. They need the ability to raise tourism levies for their own tourism marketing and economic sustainability. I do not support the motion.

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move, pursuant to Rule 6(2) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly, that the Committee of the Whole continue to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment for the purpose of continuing consideration of Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

We will sit beyond 6:00 p.m. to conclude this item. To the motion.

Question has been called. Mr. Thompson, after the mic was off, I believe I heard you ask for a recorded vote. Could you please say that on the record? Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I would ask for a recorded vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Question has been called. The Member has requested a recorded vote. All those in favour, please rise.

All those opposed, please rise.

All those abstaining, please rise. The results of the recorded vote: two in favour, 13 opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is defeated.

---Defeated

Clause 2. Does committee agree?

Clause 7.

Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I do have a couple of questions I want to ask on clause 7 about the regulation-making authority. I want to know whether it's the intention of the Minister to bring forward any regulations with regard to expanding the exclusions as set out under the Act. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.