Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that sub-clause 3(2) of Bill 8 be amended by striking out “$1,359,234,000” and substituting “$1,356,311,000.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Schedule to Bill 8 be amended to:

decrease by $1,103,000 the appropriation amount set out in Part 1, item 7, “Justice,” by:

striking out “89,752,000” and substituting “88,649,000” in the column entitled “Operations Excluding Amortization,” and

striking out “91,976,000”, and substituting “90,873,000” in the column entitled “Appropriation by Item”;

decrease by $1,103,000 the amount set out in Part 1 as “Total Appropriation for Operations Expenditures,” by striking out “$1,216,972,000” and substituting “$1,215,869,000”;

decrease by $320,000 the appropriation...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just in summary, then, and to be very specific: are we being told today that the Premier will look at a review of the payroll tax of 2 per cent?

Mr. Speaker, the Premier has set up strategic initiative committees, and one of them is tasked with looking at issues related to the cost of living. Is this something that could be assigned to this committee, as well, in looking at the cost of living in the Northwest Territories in light of taxes?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to congratulate the residents of Hay River and the organizers of what I believe has been the largest fundraiser ever to take place in Hay River. I’m referring to the Relay for Life, which was held in many communities across Canada June 13.

The 12-hour walk for cancer was a celebration of survival and a tribute to the lives of loved ones who have been touched by cancer. There were 38 teams involved, with four out-of-town teams from Fort Smith, Kakisa, Yellowknife and Fort Providence.

Over the past few weeks people raised money by having garage sales...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to move that at this time we report progress. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. By striking out “89,752,000” and substituting “88,649,000” in the column entitled “Operations Excluding Amortization.”

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee would like to consider Tabled Document 37-16(2), the Main Estimates ’08–09, Volumes 1 and 2. Then we would like to go to Bill 8, the Appropriation Act, 2008–2009, then to the committee report on official languages, and then the rest, in order, as time permits today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

Motion carried.

I’m wondering what incentive managers of health authorities have to live within their means and stay on budget. This sends a pretty big message for a deficit of this magnitude to be addressed with a straight bailout, so to speak. What incentive is there, then, for the authorities who have stayed within their budget or very close to it? What incentive is there for them to do that going forward, knowing that we can vote a $17 million budget item to address a deficit?