Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t feel that I’m newly minted. I’ve been the Minister now for four months, and I’ve had four months of hard riding on me. I feel I’m, I think, ready to roll — seasoned, as the Member says.

The issue of performance reviews. There are annual financial audits done. We have the ability though motions and requests to get the Auditor General in to look at Crown corporations. We’ve just structured a program review committee in government that’s going to start looking at the operations of government. As well, we have the opportunity, as has been mentioned in this House and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Transport Canada continues to investigate the situation. We, as well, have received the same initial information in terms of the amount of the spill, which was, according to the captain, estimated to be very small, between ten and 15 litres.

I know there have been concerns that there was an oil sheen or a sheen on the water that was quite expansive and extensive. Our people won’t even know. This is a Transport Canada issue. We were one of the first folks there. The issue was dealt with as quickly as possible. The formal numbers for the spill are relatively small.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m pleased to present Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act.

This amends the provisions of the Northwest Territories Income Tax Act to make them consistent with parallel provisions of the Income Tax Act, Canada, that relate to the charitable donations tax credit, the medical expense tax credit, assessment of returns and tax avoidance.

These amendments are routine housekeeping measures that will have no significant impact on our revenues and which will not change income tax rates. These changes are necessary to keep the Northwest Territories Income Tax Act...

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide the Assembly with an update on the work of the Refocusing Government Strategic Initiative Committee. This committee has been tasked by Cabinet with advancing a number of this Assembly’s priorities related to the operations of government, including improving service delivery to small communities, managing the cost of government and examining how we can change the structure of government to deliver better results.

One of the Assembly’s priorities is to complete a thorough analysis of the efficiency, effectiveness and value of current government...

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 21, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009–2010, be read for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 21, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2009–2010, be read for the third time.

There are orientation packages provided to employees, part of which, I believe, is a cross-culture awareness component.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with the third reading of Bill16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009.

Mr. Speaker, we are checking into these concerns. In fact, we’ve been aware of the concerns for some time. What we are going to do about it is we are going to take steps to remedy the issue as it pertains to the staff and to the equipment and vehicles.

This is Ms. Margaret Melhorn, deputy minister of the Financial Management Board, and Ms. Louise Lavoie, assistant comptroller general of the Financial Management Board.