Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I raised the concern of the overbearing micro-brewery tax system being imposed on our brew pub manufacturing starting up in Yellowknife. When one should be supporting this entrepreneurial start-up business, the GNWT, even by cutting its rate by half, still has one of the highest micro-brewery sin taxes in all of Canada. Sadly, when production increases, many fear with the tax regime being proposed, this will do very little to enhance the true potential of this new industry.

I bud my questions today for the wiser Minister of Finance. There is no denying the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I made reference to an NWT Housing Corporation Housing Choices funding program eligibility criteria. It seems that there are two sets of rules pertaining to this CARE funding program which deserve some scrutiny. Apparently if you live in a non-market community and you owe less than $5,000 in land lease or property tax arrears, you still qualify for up to $90,000 in forgivable loans. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

Can the Minister explain to the House how is it you can owe money...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide an updated progress report to this Assembly on work done towards a comprehensive review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;

And further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories undertake a review of all previous recommendations made regarding proposed revisions to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and include in the progress report a status report on how the committee’s recommendations are being addressed. Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to welcome the Minister and the department here today. This is a perfect example where government works well and works right and understands the needs of its people. As someone who has practiced in the area of health care most of my adult life in the Northwest Territories, I have had the pleasure of working independently and now as a legislator on a number of acts pertaining to the health profession. So, when I saw this come through, as an MLA I was very impressed and very thankful to be able to put my hands on it as a committee member and work in conjunction...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table a three-page document, entitled “Micro-brewery Taxation Models.” My office has compiled a complete regime of micro-brewery taxation models in Canada and I’ll be speaking to this on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess that’s one way of doing it. My question was for all communities. Again, when we’re dealing with this, I want to make sure that the department had a plan in place for looking at repayment for any member of our Housing Corporation before we’re going to be providing further funding. Again, if I may add, Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, is this constitutionally sound the way we have it set up? Thank you.

I appreciate the Minister’s reply. My next question might need a little bit more clarification from what he’s just indicated here. Clearly, this CARE policy segregates both market and non-market residents with two separate rules and criteria.

Can the Minister inform the House, what is the rationale for having those two sets of rules? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes policies make sense and sometimes, well, they don’t. Point in question, let’s look at the widely popular NWT Housing Corporation Housing Choices suite of programs. This suite of programs is offered to all residents of the Northwest Territories, helping to maintain and manage a sustainable housing environment. Assistance is provided at various levels based on the applicant’s income, helping NWT residents not only become more independent but also assist them in becoming successful homeowners.

One such housing choice is the CARE program, which stands for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Committee Report 11-17(5), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 12: Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act; Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act; Committee Report 12-17(5), Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of Bill 36: Health and Social Services Professions Act; Bill 36, Health and Social Services Professions Act; and Committee Report 10-17(5), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2013-2014 Annual...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our Information and Privacy Commissioner for a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes for someone who, up until now, was in a part-time position. We know, moving forward, we will have the luxury of having someone in the office full time. I think this is going to be a huge step in terms of providing transparency and accountability to all stakeholders across the Northwest Territories. For that, I want to say I’m very pleased that we’re going to be looking at a full-time Privacy Commissioner in the near future.

One...