Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the small communities POL brings in the fuel. The resupply has been completed. Those costs and prices are set according to what they pay at the time of the resupply. In other communities on the road system that can be resupplied through the free market, there’s no regulatory regime in place to control prices, nor is there any on the books we have that I’m aware of.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m here to introduce Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009.

This bill authorizes the write-off of debts listed in the schedule of the act. Pursuant to section 24 of the Financial Administration Act, Legislative Assembly approval is required for the write-off of government assets or debts exceeding $20,000. Pursuant to section 82 of the Financial Administration Act, the write-off of debts owed to a public agency exceeding $20,000 and the write-off of debts owed to the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission exceeding $50,000 must receive Legislative Assembly...

Mr. Speaker, the investigation is still underway. I understand Transport Canada officials, the inspector, was in Hay River early in September to interview crew members as part of the investigation. I have yet to see any reports, preliminary or otherwise.

I will commit to the Member for the Sahtu and all the affected…. In fact, I’ll update all the Members once we get the report. Given the concern and the fact that this is a major river flowing down through the Mackenzie Valley, we’ll share that information with all the MLAs.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Ms. Margaret Melhorn, Mr. John Monroe and Ms. Lana Birch from Finance, FMB.

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.