Floyd Roland

Mr. Speaker, the tax options we work with, as at this point, stay with the Department of Finance, under the revenue-generating capacity that it has, and our relationship with the federal government and so on. I think we could still work through that scenario, working with Members and deciding where we can go — whether we strike, as we did, for example, on the climate change work. Coming together with some Members, looking at taking that discussion paper out, is an option we can look at.

Mr. Speaker, for a lot of years we worked in partnership in the North, coming up with a process that we’re familiar with and understand, working with the federal government to draw down authority to the Government of the Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments and organizations across the territory. We will continue with that work. If Members feel there are other options out there, we’d be prepared to look at those.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 8, Appropriation Act, 2008–2009, be read for the third time.

This causes me to think of the movie Braveheart. Maybe we have a new Member with a nickname here.

The fact is that we have engaged with the federal government and aboriginal governments and organizations to go down the path of devolution resource-revenue sharing. We continue to do that. We continue to work with the federal government to secure the resources, to keep them in the North, and we will look at other alternatives if that process doesn’t work. The new relationship we’re starting to establish — or enhancing the relationships — with aboriginal governments is that we are meeting with them...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Over the past few weeks a number of motions have been passed during Committee of the Whole review of the 2008–2009 Main Estimates. In response to these motions and after discussions with the Members of this House, I would like to state that the government is prepared to make the following adjustments.

With respect to the Department of Justice:

the closure and of the Arctic Tern Young Offenders Facility in Inuvik will be deferred;

a reduced staff model will be implemented, incorporating 14.5 positions, plus relief workers when required;

$613,000 will be added to the budget;

$...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would first like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Mr. Richard Nerysoo, and the returning vice-president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Ms. Mary Ann Ross, on their elections yesterday. The Government of the Northwest Territories looks forward to working with them on issues of common concern.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the accomplishments of a great leader who has inspired Northerners with his passion for over 50 years. Although his term as president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council has ended, anyone...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the forgiveness of debt in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends provisions in the Income Tax Act to make them consistent with parallel provisions of the Income Tax Act of Canada that relate to charitable donation and medical expense tax credits, to returns assessments, to withholding and payment and to tax avoidance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First and foremost, the best scenario would be that divorce didn’t happen and that families stayed together. Unfortunately, as the Member has pointed out, the realities are that there are divorces. The nature of divorce within families can be very difficult indeed and test all family members, especially the children. We have to recognize this first, I guess.

After that the recognition is with the judicial system. We as the Government of the Northwest Territories and Members of this Assembly will enact laws that become the practice, but it is the judicial branch that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had discussions with Premier Fentie of the Yukon, looking at this initiative. In fact, at the time I attended the Western Premiers’ Conference, he attended the Finance Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa. We had discussions about carrying the message from both parts. We are engaged with the Yukon government, through our staff, to look at options that could be available to us. I’m aware, from the meeting in Ottawa with Finance Ministers, that other jurisdictions are, as well, interested in looking at what options may be available to them around the GST.