Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize that access to new land for agriculture is an issue, but there are many people who already do have considerable sized parcels of land for agriculture. However, this government does not recognize a means under our Property Assessment and Taxation Act for there to be a dual use for an assessment on that property. For example, if somebody lives on 40 acres, which is quite possible around Hay River, and they have a house on one acre, they’re going to get taxed for residential rates on the whole parcel of land. We need some small revisions like...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of agriculture has a tremendous potential in the Northwest Territories. Sometimes people don’t think it does and I’m not sure why, because actually we’ve gone backwards in the area of agriculture. Many years ago a lot of the produce that was grown around Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Hay River was actually shipped down the Mackenzie to a lot of other communities and it was quite a thriving activity and endeavour. Many years ago, and it seems like we’ve gone backwards since then. I’m not sure why, but I can’t really say there’s been a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, agriculture is a renewable resource sector activity which needs this government’s attention. Since 1995, the Territorial Farmers' Association has been asking this government to develop and adopt a comprehensive agriculture policy. Many things affecting agriculture fall within the mandate of the territorial government. It’s fine to tell communities to take the initiative to develop their own policies, but the GNWT has the responsibility to create a policy as a framework within which municipal jurisdictions can operate.

Agriculture has met with relative...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I was asked to raise this by the Territorial Farmers’ Association and I realize that it may be cumbersome, but the cost of doing business is continually going up. The price of the product is not going up. This is discouraging people from being involved in any of our renewable resource sector activities that are not involved with roads. The cost of fuel, it’s going to be an all-time high now again. I look forward to working with the Minister on trying to find some way of alleviating the cost of doing business in these sectors. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I think we did determine that trying to determine the use of the product at point of sale was too difficult and too cumbersome. It is understood and agreed we can’t do that. We can’t even keep track of the difference between stuff going for diesel for home heating fuel to diesel going for filling your vehicle. We can’t even keep that straight. So I don’t suggest that we try to do it at the point of sale. What I am suggesting is that somehow when people file their personal income tax return and they are involved in those activities which are included in their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, that’s good and I’d like to invite both of the Ministers to come to Hay River; at his earliest convenience for Minister McLeod, ITI, to come and meet with the Territorial Farmers’ Association, as well. There are revisions to the PATA, or the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, on our legislative agenda right now. I would want to ask if this particular revision could be incorporated in that revision that’s underway now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in order to advance agriculture, I think we need an agriculture policy. That’s something that has been wanted by the folks from the Territorial Farmers’ Association for, like I said, a number of years now. Is there any reason why we cannot, within the life of this government, or even sooner, develop such a policy to encourage this activity? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. A third thing would be a program for a tax rebate for fuel purchased for agricultural pursuits. We have fertile tracts of land, long growing seasons, proponents willing to participate, and ready local markets for agricultural products. All we need now is the serious support of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have in my hand again today the technical evaluation of the Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River and I could stand up here and make a nice speech and list off all the things that are wrong with that school but, you know, I am sick and tired of talking about the substandard school that we have in Hay River. There are so many things in this report that would indicate that we are expecting our teachers to work in a substandard building, we are expecting our students to be educated in a substandard building, and this is a shame. This should not be...

I’m sorry. You were going to ask if we consider this matter concluded first. Sorry. Yes. I just wanted to make a motion to report progress, but you finish what you were doing. Thank you.