Michael Miltenberger

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...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following documents, entitled Building for the Future: Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Annual Report 2005–2006; and NWT Housing Corporation Framework for Action 2008–2011.

Document 73-16(2), Building for the Future: NWT Housing Corporation 2005–2006 Annual Report, tabled.

Document 74-16(2), NWT Housing Corporation Framework for Action 2008–2011, tabled.

I wish to table the following document, entitled Northern Voices, Northern Waters: Towards a Water Resources Management Strategy for the NWT.

Document 66-16(2), Northern Voices, Northern Waters: Towards a Water Resources Management Strategy for the NWT, tabled.

We have a fairly extensive list of programs, especially on the alternative energy side, working with the Arctic Energy Alliance and through ENR, where there are funds available for different type of things: energy-efficient applicants, vehicles, woodstoves — those types of things. We have some funding programs available to assist with home repairs for those people whose income meets the test. We have home repairs for seniors as well. I would be interested to see the information that the Member has picked up from the Yukon.

Mr. Speaker, I’d be happy to make the commitment that we’ll look at the information from the Yukon. When we come forward with the business plans, as we talk about a strategy for biomass, especially for the diesel communities, we want to look at every option in terms of how we can best cut costs and reduce dependency on oil.

Mr. Speaker, as Northerners we value and rely on clean waters and healthy aquatic ecosystems for our spiritual, cultural and physical well-being. It is one of our most valuable resources and will only increase in value and importance as sources diminish.

As we all know, wetlands, deltas and water flows throughout northern Alberta and the southern Northwest Territories are changing. We know these changes may be affecting the fish, moose and other life in the aquatic ecosystems. One of the major issues relates to the pace and scale of development within the Mackenzie River Basin and the potential...

Mr. Speaker, we’re interested in working with all the components of the northern housing construction sector. We’re interested in building the most fuel-efficient, energy-efficient houses we can to cut our costs and to lower the cost of construction.

There are significant challenges before us, but very clearly, the more we can work with northern industry, the better. Thank you.