Floyd Roland

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with third reading of Bill 8, Appropriation Act, 2008–2009.

Unanimous consent granted.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m not familiar with this home rule concept the Member has raised. In our jurisdiction, as we’ve been working through the process with the federal government and with aboriginal governments and organizations trying to bring more authority here, what we have started doing in this Assembly is, in fact, occupying some of the areas that some would say have legislated authority within the federal government. We believe we have the moral authority to govern in certain areas, and that’s why, for example, the Managing This Land Strategic Initiative will play a...

No, I will not need witnesses at this point.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the write-off of debts in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

Mr. Speaker, in light of the new direction we’ve been taking as the 16th Assembly to break down the barriers and stovepipes between departments and work together to try and enhance the family and the situations that families fall under, that is something we would support. Yes, I know the departments of Justice and Health and Social Services work together. This will be another area that they can, as they have in the past, look to see how they can continue to offer a service to all family members to ensure that we have a fair system.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If this Assembly feels a motion is needed in this area, we would be glad to work with Members to come up with a joint initiative. We are at the table working with the Yukon, looking at how we can work jointly with them in advancing this. As well, at the Northern Premiers’ Conference we will once again be having discussions with northern Premiers. I’m sure Premier Fentie will be looking to address this as well.

In the context of looking at our tax options available to us as Northerners, looking at the other side of it, the equation on the cost of living as well as the tax rebate that we do have, I’m prepared to put that in as part of the discussion as we go forward as the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, I will move that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No.1 2008–2009, be read for the first time.

Mr. Chairman, in fact it does cover to March 31, 2008, because that’s the end of the fiscal year for accumulated debt, and that’s the time we have to bring forward bills of this nature, looking at the expenditures of departments during the final supp of the government. This being Supp No. 4, it would be our final piece for looking at the previous year’s expenditures.

I’ll go to Ms. LeClair for looking at how this…. There has been much talk about the payroll piece. I’ll have Ms. LeClair give more detail.

Talking about this year would be another matter. Talking about this supplementary appropriation for previous years’ expenditures is one thing, but a large amount of what the Member’s referring to is the fact that we need to collect on revenues that are owed to the Stanton authority as well as the Government of the Northwest Territories. For the 2007–2008 fiscal year, there are a number of unfunded programs. Of course, that would mean unfunded positions. But they’re, again, delivered through the fact that they have some flexibility in the delivery mechanisms within the territorial health and...