Michael Miltenberger

I do, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present the Department of Finance’s Main Estimates for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

For 2013-14, the department has identified a total operations budget of approximately $156.3 million, which represents a 10 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

The operations budget is comprised of:

A $67.5 million contribution to the NWT Housing Corporation to provide the Corporation with its operating cash flow for the fiscal period.

The remaining $80.8 million for department operations represents a 10 percent increase from the 2012-13 Main Estimates. This is primarily the...

So it is clear for the Member or for this House as well, we are actively pursuing discussions with some of the Aboriginal governments looking to set up a joint venture, which would be separate and wouldn’t involve the P3 approach. So what structure we choose to go forward could possibly affect the dollars. The other thing, of course, is if this project in fact generates the revenue we think it will, then the increased revenue will more than offset and diminish what’s owed. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, the framework will be done this current fiscal year and we would look to advance it fully into the next ‘14-15 budget cycle.

Mr. Chair, the Member and I have had numerous discussions about the ravages of alcohol and its destructive force across the entire fabric of the Northwest Territories and how he and I, growing old together, still talk about how do we bend the curve on this in a positive way.

Yes.

The Member in the House raised some areas where there were gaps. It was an area when it was raised, and we had officials look at it where there isn’t a lot of clear policy direction as it pertains to Facebook and other social media, and how we do our business on there in an increasing fashion. They’re going to take a look. They’re going to do a review of other jurisdictions and they’re going to pull together, hopefully, the best practices in terms of next steps.

The folks are taking close note of the discussion and debate in this House. The Member has raised some legitimate, pertinent concerns, including the one she just articulated, and yes, we’re going to list all those concerns and then see what’s the best way forward in terms of coming up with an adequate and functional policy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member raised a good point and identified a need in terms of having proper structure in place. There has been a meeting of senior officials as it pertains to that particular policy. They have done the initial scoping out, they are establishing a work plan and they intend to come back in the fall with a fleshed out policy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 3, Wildlife Act, be read for the second time.

This bill replaces the Wildlife Act. It modernizes wildlife management processes in a manner consistent with land claim agreements. Provisions respecting the harvest of wildlife were updated and measures for the protection of wildlife habitat are included. Consequential amendments are made to the Environmental Protection Act, the Forest Management Act and the Herd and Fencing Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as Finance Minister I can tell you that I think, in fact, this budget, the last budget, every budget that I have been involved in in this House is a good budget. They tend to pass unanimously. We are doing an enormous amount of good work here. There is $1.6 million being put to work and the vast majority of it is spent on programs. It’s audited every year by the Auditor General. There are all sorts of other reviews done on an ongoing basis. We, of course, will continue to work with committee and the Members to make sure that we have the best budget possible dealing with...