Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, the plan as laid out was to find $10 million in new revenue for the ’09–10 budget that was laid out initially last year. We are going to be aiming for that target, with a subsequent $30 million for 2010–11 and going forward. All the work that is being done is getting pulled together, so it will feed into the business planning process. Departments will come forward with the work that has been done. I will come forward as the Minister of Finance with the work, the feedback, the revenue options, including suggested areas where there could be tax increases, but also lay out, we think...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Unanimous consent granted.

Mr. Speaker, we concluded the budget a number of months ago. We’re doing capital, in fact, in the next number of days here in this session, and then we’re going to be coming forward with the business plans that will be laying out year 2 of the reduction exercise.

At the end of the day, with the revised targets, we’d be aiming for closer to $111 million when you look at revenue as well as reductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2008–2009. I further wish to table my Return to Written Question 25-6(2), entitled Budgets for the Department of Executive Regional Offices, and Return to Written Question 33-16(2), entitled GNWT Subsidies by Community.

Document 75-16(2), Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2008–2009, tabled.

Document 76-16(2), Budgets for the Department of Executive Regional Offices, tabled.

Document, 77-16(2), GNWT Subsidies by Community, tabled.

Mr. Speaker, in fact, we have to do both. Money was voted to in fact undertake the program reviews that the Member has talked about now for some time in this Assembly and in the previous one. They’re getting tooled up to do the job. We’ve briefed committee. We’ve laid out some of the work plan. We’re looking to work with committee to make sure that we have the best work plan possible. In fact, the plan would be to have some Members possibly on the refocusing committee to make sure we’re doing the proper work.

At the same time, we clearly heard the debate, frank and intense, from the last budget...

Mr. Speaker, this is not going to be a long, protracted, hugely expensive process. It’s going to conclude October 15, and we’re going to spend a few weeks pulling it all together so that we’re ready for when we start in mid-November with the business planning process.

Yes, there was work done on a mining tax. It was preliminary work in nature, but we’re going to look at all the options that are there. We’re going to come forward with our best recommendations and proposals in terms of revenue options, reductions and then potential tax increases.

Mr. Speaker, we’re talking about a government that’s going to be affordable. We’re talking about looking at revenues that currently haven’t been realized, like trying to grow the population.

We’ve been tasked to try to hit targets. The Members have indicated, through the last process, that doing it all on the backs of reductions of expenditures and programs is not the way they’re prepared to consider. So we’re looking at other options.

So, Mr. Speaker, we’re trying to be as broad thinking about this and as careful and as measured as we can be.

I appreciate the Member’s concern. We have committed to and the Assembly has voted money for a process that we are now undertaking. The plans have been laid out. We’re prepared to work with committee to make sure they’re the best plans possible.

I’d also point out that every year this Assembly, through the work of the committees and the government, votes a budget. If this Assembly makes determinations that the government is too big or that there are changes needed, then the authority to make those changes is here.

We came forward with a number of options last year. There was significant debate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The revenue options that are being talked about are two taxes that have been referred to, resource taxes. There is potential for payroll tax increases. There is potential for other taxes, like taxing further alcohol and tobacco. We are also looking at revenue options that include signing up for the Territorial Nominee Program for immigration that would allow us to bring, at the very least, 150 new people to the North every year to take the jobs that are currently going vacant. As well, we are looking at working with the mines through the SEAs to start capturing the fly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that work has been done, looking at, if not getting rid of income tax completely, a type of flat tax. I can commit to share that information with the Member and with committees.