Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 6, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2010-2011, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the forgiveness of debts in accordance with the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only assume that the Member in his reading of the 70-page bill would note as well that there’s a tremendous amount of good work in there. That’s going to be coming up for second reading. I know there’s been some e-mail traffic that I’ve seen, that I’m sure the Member has seen as well, with the specific issues that he’s raised. We believe that they’ve been addressed and if they haven’t been addressed, there’s going to be a time, should this bill be successful at second reading, to have those discussions so that when we come back after second reading and the...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 10, Northwest Territories Heritage Fund Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill establishes the Northwest Territories Heritage Fund. The Heritage Fund is a trust fund for the benefit and use of the people of the Northwest Territories, and the Financial Management Board serves as trustee. Excess funds will be received into the Heritage Fund but nothing can be transferred from it for 10 years in order to build up the principal, which is to be retained and invested. Transfers of income from the...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 9, Wildlife Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill replaces the Wildlife Act. It modernizes wildlife management processes in a manner consistent with land claims agreements. Provisions respecting the harvest of wildlife are 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, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 5, Write-off of Debts Act, 2010-2011, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the write-off of debts in accordance with the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as I’m aware, there are two programs. The Energy Efficiency Incentive Program and the Energy Conservation Program are both open for applications from business, residents and communities. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we just this past Friday gave third reading and assent to the budget for this coming year so we are set, but as we plan for the end of this Assembly and we look at our transition items, I would suggest to the Member that that would possibly be an issue to consider and for inclusion in the transition document, recognizing that while people may find taxes burdensome, they are also the fuel that allows government to work and deliver the very many programs that people expect of it. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 9, Wildlife Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 5, Write-off of Debts Act, 2010-2011, be read for the first time. Thank you.

The answer would be affirmative, that we see a tremendous value, especially on issues where traditional knowledge will be very valuable and local knowledge and intimate knowledge of the land and the water. So, yes, we will, as we proceed, make that commitment. Thank you.