Kevin O'Reilly
Statements in Debates
Thanks, Madam Chair. Of the $3.5 million, how much is made up of school taxes? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Merci, Monsieur le President. In my statement earlier today, I noted that the priorities of the 19th Assembly do not provide clear direction for many of the departments and agencies and Ministers. I would like to know from the Premier whether she agrees with that assessment. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Great. Thanks. That is what I had suspected and appreciate the response from our witnesses. This will be an ongoing cost into the future. The total supplementary appropriation, I think, is for $4.5 million, essentially. The Minister said $3.5 million is for the City of Yellowknife. What is the other $1 million for [microphone turned off]?
Thanks, Madam Chair. I would like to know what measures or were there any opportunities within MACA or what contingencies did they look at before coming forward with a supplementary appropriation? Were they able to find the money internally? I think the budget of the Department is around $55 million or something. Were there any opportunities to make up the money internally, and what was looked at? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Merci, Monsieur le President. The 18th Assembly collectively developed a list of priorities that Cabinet then took and turned into a lengthy wish list. That was the first time that a formal mandate was developed. At the end of the 18th Assembly, Cabinet claimed it had completed 202 of 230 mandate commitments. The advice from the Transition Matters Special Committee was that there should be fewer priorities and fewer mandate commitments. I am not convinced that we achieved that with the priorities that were tabled in this House on October 25th. As this sitting presents the first opportunity to...
Thanks, Madam Chair. Okay. Maybe I can just get the Minister to agree that she will find out what that date was and give me and the Members of this House the chronology of events around this misstep or failure to budget properly for the tax bill from the city. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I give notice that, on Thursday, December 12, 2019, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight:
Mr. Ronald Bonnetrouge, the Member for Deh Cho;
Mr. Kevin O'Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;
Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Member for Hay River South;
Mrs. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;
Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake;
Mr. Jackson Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi;
Mr. Jackie Jacobson...
Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I guess we're all a little bit rusty here today. I want to thank the Minister for that response. She talked about annual reporting, which is great, and that's what I want to get to next. One of the reasons I voted against the Carbon Tax last Assembly was the total absence of accountability and transparency in implementing the legislation and the inability of Regular MLAs to propose any meaningful changes. The regulations that were quietly introduced on August 29, 2019, do not set out or require any form of public reporting on significant matters such as how much carbon tax...
I am glad to see that the spirit of collaboration is alive and well in this House. For the record, the large emitters in the Northwest Territories, as set out in the regulations, are Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Incorporated; De Beers Canada, Incorporated; Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation; and Imperial Oil Resources NWT Limited. Could the Minister tell us whether there have been any discussions between large emitters and Finance officials on the Carbon Tax and its implementation, and would the Minister provide this Assembly with some details?