Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Jim Antoine is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for Nahendeh

Won his last election, in 1999, with 61% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, all these different chapters, particularly chapter 7 on the Tlicho government, yes, we've gone over it. The Department of Justice has gone over it thoroughly and we are quite satisfied in the way that it's developed. In this governing body of the Tlicho government, we must understand that this is a government, Tlicho government, that will have jurisdiction over the Tlicho citizens and over the Tlicho land. It's therefore designed as such. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

In chapter 7, it's explanatory in 7.1.3 where the government body of the Tlicho government exercises law-making powers and the primary executive function will include at least the grand chief, elected at large. They have to be an eligible Tlicho citizen and the chief of each Tlicho community government will also make up this government and at least one representative from each of the Tlicho communities elected by residents of that community. I take it that at least one representative from each Tlicho community elected by residents of that community, so there's a possibility perhaps there that it might be a non-Tlicho in that position. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

This clause defines the Tlicho government in accordance with the Tlicho agreement. The details of the Tlicho government including structure and authorities are found in chapter 7 of the Tlicho agreement.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the tax treaty agreement that was entered between the Tlicho and the Canada and GNWT, sets out tax treatment of the Tlicho government and the Tlicho corporations for federal and territorial income tax and the federal GST. That's the way that is. It also sets out the treatment for the Tlicho trust, which will receive the capital transfer from Canada. I think the final question was does it have an impact on non-Tlicho citizens. I understand it does not have an impact on them. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there is a Tlicho tax agreement that is in place and recognizes the power of the Tlicho to enact laws for the Tlicho government proposed in relation to direct taxation of Tlicho citizens on Tlicho lands and in Tlicho communities. That's the clause you were referring to, I believe. The government tacks powers on the Tlicho agreement, clause 7.4.5. If that's the question, the Tlicho final agreement recognizes the power of the Tlicho government to enact the laws the Tlicho government proposed in relation to direct taxation of Tlicho citizens on Tlicho lands and in Tlicho communities. Tlicho in clause 7.5.11 clarifies for greater certainty that these powers are concurrent with the powers of the federal and territorial governments. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Mr. Chairman, I know the Members of the 14th Assembly, all MLAs take their responsibilities very seriously and in the normal course of action, they have done a thorough work in all the bills and different government initiatives over the last four years. I commend them for that. I mentioned there are three pieces of legislation that requires all of them to be completed. This one is one of the first ones, Bill 34, Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act. It's something the Tlicho have negotiated and finalized in the life of the 14th Assembly. We felt as a government that we should finish it in the life of this 14th Assembly. In the normal course of action, once the bill has second reading, the committee has 120 days to do their work. In this case, because we are running out of time, the election is happening November 24th, we haven't been able to get the bill here at this stage and we are discussing the bill today. I realize that Members have wanted to have the time to do the work thoroughly, but unfortunately it didn't happen, but we are here. We are dealing with the bill.

We in the government and in the ministry feel that it's really crucial that we do what we set out to do. I know there are commitments by Members of this Legislative Assembly that we will support land claims and self-government processes. Because we are running out of time, we still have an opportunity here to do that. So I am pleased to be here to say these things on behalf of Bill 34. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, once again, I would like to thank the Members for reporting this very important bill back to the House. There are concerns that have been raised by the Members and the committee as well as here. I am sure we are going to hear that and we are prepared to answer any specific questions. This is an extraordinary approach. I just want to say a normal government bill is something that's developed by government and goes through a normal process. This is a different type of approach. It's a land claims agreement that's already signed with the federal government and the Tlicho government and the Tlicho people. It's here for us to look at and we will do whatever we can to provide the different answers to the different questions that come forth. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Yes, Mark Aitken, legislative counsel from the Department of Justice; and, Martin Goldney, also legal counsel for the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Mr. Chairman, I have with me Rick Bargery, deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Because of the speed in which this is going, there are two other members of my team who will be showing up later.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act October 8th, 2003

Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.