Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, that commitment has already been made. There’s a program review that’s been set up. There’s been money voted for their operation. We’ve laid out the work plans, the terms of reference for the committee. We’ve committed to working with committee to lay out the planning and engagement so they, along with Cabinet, have an oversight role to play.

As the Member indicated, that’s a process that’s going to take time. This is a large, complex organization with many, many component pieces. In the meantime we have another business planning process cycle now upon us. We’re going to be doing...

In the last budget there were funds identified and voted to set up a program review committee as part of the Refocusing Government initiative. We’re going to be coming forward with a plan, as the Premier indicated, about restructuring boards and agencies.

The issue of tax shifts. If we can move away from income taxes and taxes on that type of income to consumption taxes, I think that’s a good shift. And we want to look at making sure that those with the most are going to be prepared to pay more than those who have the least.

But very clearly, we have a whole number of initiatives that are tied...

What we have in the North is a very high level of service by this government with some of the best programs, I believe, in the country, be it for seniors, health, the SFA or some of our housing programs.

The question is, it’s not just taxes. The issue is the type of government we want and we think we can afford. What are we prepared to pay to have that government and those types of services? Very clearly, we’re going to come forward with all the work we’re undertaking right now. There will be a full chance for committee to engage in the discussion. We’re doing the preparatory work to get all...

I, as well, have been getting a number of comments and feedback on my e-mails and from wherever I happen to be going. As a government we are very sensitive to the implications of any decision we make with regard to taxes or reductions. We’ve been directed very clearly, and the message from the last budget process was that reductions weren’t the favoured option. So we’ve come forward with plans to look at other revenue options so that we don’t have to necessarily increase the number of reductions we’re talking about.

Yes, we are very sensitive to this, and we want to make sure that we don’t...

Mr. Speaker, that’s part and parcel of the work that’s currently underway. We’re going to be bringing forward a package on the next phase of reductions. We’re going to be bringing forward a package that deals with the revenue options, both bringing people into the North and growing the economy, as well as looking at those areas where increased taxes may be advantageous.

As the Premier indicated in his sessional statement, there are a lot of things happening around us in the world that are affecting life in the North and business in the North. With every decision we make, be it taxes or other options for generating revenues, there are going to be upsides, but there are also going to be downsides. I’ve heard the Members opposite talk in great detail about the mass exodus and what they’re hearing from their constituents. For the first day of session the political hyperbole was fairly interesting, if not somewhat misleading. It was very interesting and makes the...

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated already, we are very clearly aware that there are upsides and downsides. While we may generate some revenue, there are going to be implications and consequences. We are looking very carefully at all the decisions we are going to be making and the suggestions and recommendations we are going to be bringing forward.

We are very sensitive to the issue of the cost of living in small communities. We have set up a committee to in fact address that issue. We do not want to engage in counterproductive exercises here in government. So, yes, we are going to be very...

Mr. Speaker, the payroll tax is one small attempt to capture some of that wealth that is now flying over as they go back to where they may be living in the south.

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.