Thanks to the Minister of Justice for that information. I was wondering if he could tell me if, in fact, the Department of Justice provided any financial support to the Yellowknife Community Wellness Coalition for the 2008–2009 fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 17, the Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, at a meeting on October 3. Following the clause by clause review a motion was carried to report to the Assembly that Bill 17 is now ready for consideration by Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 17. Individual Members may have comments or questions as we proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations held a public hearing on Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, on October 6, 2008.

The proposed amendments make the Income Tax Act consistent with similar provisions in the federal Income Tax Act. These amendments were recommended by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and are part of a nationwide updating exercise.

The Northwest Territories, Nunavut and New Brunswick are the three remaining jurisdictions needing to update their legislation. The affected provisions are related to charitable donations, medical expense...

Mr. Roland rose on a point of order with regard to comments made in Committee of the Whole by Mr. Bromley in the context of debate on capital estimates. Mr. Roland asserted that Mr. Bromley was in contravention of Rule 23(i), which states, “A Member will be called to order…if the Member imputes false or hidden motives to another Member.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Transportation is in the early stages of designing and implementing a new digital vehicle registration system to be used throughout the Northwest Territories. Given that we’re still in the development phase, now’s the best time to consider a change in how we register vehicles in the NWT so that can be incorporated into the system.

I believe that vehicle registration fees in the Northwest Territories should be changed from a flat rate to a graduated emission based system. This strategy will help the Northwest Territories and Canada meet its targets for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank the Minister responsible for the Refocusing Government Strategic Initiative Committee for his comments today on reducing the number of boards and agencies in the NWT.

I believe that over 70 boards and agencies providing services for around 42,000 people might be a little on the excessive side. I agree that something needs to be done. I believe that reducing the number of agencies could result in administrative efficiencies as well as an improved holistic focus of services to people of the NWT.

Having said this, I do have some concerns. Today I...

I move to report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 16, the Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009, at a meeting on October 3, 2008.

Following the clause by clause review a motion was carried to report to the Assembly that Bill 16 is ready for consideration by Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 16. Individual Members may have comments or questions as we proceed.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Does committee agree?

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, maybe my initial opening comments were a little on the long side and people stopped listening to me halfway through. In no way, shape or form does this motion suggest that vehicles in small communities should have a higher registration rate. It doesn’t say that. It doesn’t suggest that. If that’s what you think, I’m sorry, but that’s definitely not what it’s saying.

It does actually provide some incentive and encourage people to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. There may be a lower rate to those individuals, but certainly not a higher rate for those individuals in the...