Robert Bouchard

Thank you, Madam Chair. The biggest concern that I have is this large amount between the projected amount and what we’re currently collecting in corporate income tax. Can the Minister indicate a little bit more detail on how we are calculating that number and why is there such a big discrepancy in that number?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a couple of brief comments as well. I think one of the biggest factors in this department is devolution. I think it’s one of the keys to the future of the Territories and one of the progressive things that we’re looking at doing. Along with this devolution are also the concerns of what that brings for the future, what existing things that we’re signing right now with the federal government, what will we be able to change, what will we not be able to change.

The other thing that one of my colleagues mentioned was decentralization and the potential of jobs for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll ask my question again. As I indicated, I was concerned with the high costs of the bridge, but my next concern was the items that have been removed from the bridge, from the original design. What items have been removed?

My next question is concerning the tolls on the bridge and what effect those tolls will have on the repayment of that debt service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to use my Member’s statement today to encourage the 1,189 youth participating in the NWT track meet going in the next couple of days in Hay River.

My colleague Mrs. Groenewegen and myself would like to thank some of the Members from the Legislative Assembly that travelled down to Hay River to see the exciting grand opening of the NWT track meet this year: Premier Bob McLeod, Minister Robert C. McLeod, Mr. Daryl Dolynny, Mr. Alfred Moses. Thank you for coming to Hay River.

The NWT track and field event is organized by over 300 volunteers. It has a great economic...

My next question is: What are we expecting in the future years? Have we leveled off the base now? Do we understand where the calculations will be? Is it an annual thing, a negotiation with the federal government as we go along? These numbers fluctuate up and down. Do we have an agreement that is going to give us a base to go forward?

Madam Chair, I hope that those projections come close to those numbers, because if they don’t, we’re going to be in difficulty.

My next question would be towards the other taxation indicators which all show an increase. To expect the economy in the Northwest Territories to be picking up currently, is that one of the reasons we are expecting increases in all the taxation areas?

Okay. For my clarification, the numbers that we’re looking at the past have a large payment made to the federal government. Is that correct?

Thank you, Madam Chair. My comments on this department will be mainly on the revenue summary and the projections that are projected for this year’s main estimates. I’m looking at most of them and most of them are showing a positive side. I’m looking at the difference from the revised estimates and main estimates, and I’m showing an increase of $132 million. My question is: If those numbers don’t materialize, where will we be without that?

I’d like the Minister and the department to maybe explain where some of these projections are coming from. The Minister has indicated in his opening...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question is the estimated cost of delivery of some products to the North and to Yellowknife and beyond. Does the Minister have any indication of the costs these tolls will have on commodities in the Northwest Territories?