Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think we have here in this House any of those Ministers, so the only Minister I can ask this question to is the Minister of Transportation.

I guess the question is: What is this government going to do to dredge the Hay River?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two young Pages we have here with us this week: Mr. James Beaulieu and Austin Cayen, and also their chaperone, my own constituency assistant, Myrtle Graham. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my Member’s statement, the cost of living in the Northwest Territories has escalated to a point of crisis. My questions today – and I understand the government is working on an Energy Strategy – will be to the Department of Finance Minister.

My first question is: Has the government talked to the federal government about northern residency deductions and increasing that allowable tax deduction for Northerners so that more money can go into their pockets to assist with cost of living?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is good news or bad news, which do you want to start with? I’m going to end on a positive note, so I’ll start with the bad news, I guess.

Just like the Members here have indicated, I would have the same and similar concerns about our fiscal plan going forward. The government has spent a lot of money on fire suppression this year. Now we’re talking about an accelerated plan for the Tuk to Inuvik highway, which in one way is a good news story. We’re getting the project done quicker, but how do we afford that speed and, I guess, what gets run over by doing it...

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Next on my list I have Mr. Bromley. General comments.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.

Alright. Does committee agree to continue with general comments on TD 115-17(5)?

I’ll call Committee of the Whole to order. We agreed to consider Tabled Document 115-17(5). I would like to ask the Minister responsible, Minister Miltenberger, to make his opening comments.

If that analysis has been done before, what is the Department of Finance doing currently in taxation to help the Northerners with the cost of living to put more money into their… Are there ways that we can reduce taxes to help people in the Northwest Territories currently?

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I didn’t hear that response.